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South Sydney Rabbitohs, Gold Coast Titans, and the NRL came together to allow Jai Arrow to make his 99th appearance for the Bunnies this morning, as the 31-year-old took to the field in emotional scenes at Robina Stadium. Jai Arrow was medically retired from the NRL after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, a diagnosis that has rocked the rugby league world, much like when Leeds Rhinos’ Rob Burrow was diagnosed in late 2019. For Burrow, his diagnosis came in retirement, but Jai Arrow was still only 30 and in the midst of his playing career, a career that appeared set to be cut short on 178 NRL appearances, 98 of which had come for South Sydney Rabbitohs. That was until the NRL and Souths came together to ensure Arrow makes it to 100 games for Souths, with special arrangements being made for the forward to take to the field for kick-off at today’s game and next week’s game, thus taking him to 100 appearances for the Bunnies. Arrow has regularly been in and around his teammates throughout his diagnosis and he even had legendary coach Wayne Bennett drop his hard-nosed act to help the forward put on his socks before the special moment when he took to the field. Facing off against his former team Gold Coast Titans and surrounded by his own teammates, Jai Arrow took to the field for the 99th time as a South Sydney Rabbitohs player, something that was met with rapturous applause as You’ll Never Walk Alone was playing over the stadium sound system. Making the game even more special was that Souths won 42-22 to confirm their place in the play-offs, though there’s still one game left and Arrow will do the same next week when Souths take on their rivals Sydney Roosters, with that game set to mark Arrow’s 100th appearance for the club. Jai Arrow confirmed his medical retirement back in May as the club released a statement to confirm that the then 30-year-old had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease, a neurological condition that as yet has no cure. Since then, there has been an outpouring of love and support, as well as plenty of fundraising with the NRL re-introducing their Try July initiative and dedicating funds to Arrow and to combat MND, with a host of the game’s stars on both sides of the equator paying tribute with bow and arrow-style celebrations. You can watch today’s emotional scenes at the Robina Stadium in the embedded video below. Jai Arrow takes the field to represent the Rabbitohs for the 99th time 🐰 pic.twitter.com/gn9RkjcVKd — NRL (@NRL) August 29, 2026