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Jai Arrow’s battle with motor neurone disease – and the rugby league community’s warm response to his plight – have piqued the interest of one of the most recognised news outlets in the US.
Officials from The Athletic, a respected sports website owned by The New York Times, contacted South Sydney officials during the week about a potential story on Arrow.
The 31-year-old Arrow will bring up his 100th game for South Sydney when he takes the field one last time on Friday night against bitter rivals the Sydney Roosters at a packed Allianz Stadium.
There were plenty of tears when Arrow walked on to the field for his 99th club game for the Rabbitohs last Saturday against the Titans, before he was substituted before kick-off.
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Arrow was medically retired earlier this year after being diagnosed with the neurological condition. Roosters chairman and billionaire owner Nick Politis helped fund a trip to Europe for the representative forward to attend a European wellness retreat.
Arrow was also given the chance to attend the soccer World Cup final in New York in July, which led to local news executives finding out about his story.
Arrow, wife Berina and their 16-month daughter, Ayla, posed for this masthead at Heffron Park early Thursday before coach Wayne Bennett called him inside the training facility for his jersey presentation.
It was Bennett who came up with the idea for Arrow to take the field two more times so he could reach the 100-game milestone for Souths. One of the best images of the season was Bennett helping Arrow put one of his socks on in the South Sydney sheds on Saturday.
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“If he needs some help again, I’ll be there for him,” Bennett said. “It’s been something worthwhile [helping him achieve 100 games], and something we can all be proud off.
“He’s made it a lot easier [with his positive attitude] for all of us, it’s as simple as that.”
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Bennett had no issues with the Roosters resting nine of their top-liners for such a memorable occasion, but said it was simply not an option for his side due to Arrow’s milestone, and because they are still playing for a home final.
“All my players wanted to play because they wanted to be in the moment with Jai – they respect him so much,” Bennett said.
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“If we didn’t put them on the field, we’d be showing a lack of respect for him.”
There was a long line of fans at Heffron Park at 9am wanting to buy one of 800 limited-edition Arrow shirts.
Latrell Mitchell will start at left centre after surviving half an hour against the Gold Coast on Saturday in his return from a nerve issue in his back and leg, while Jye Gray starts at fullback ahead of Matt Dufty.
Campbell Graham was a bystander for most of Thursday’s captain’s run, which has been the case for the past few weeks, with the representative local junior – and one of Arrow’s best mates – expected to start on the right wing.
The Rabbitohs play at Allianz Stadium, which is where they are expected to remain, rather than their other home, Accor Stadium, for week one of the finals in what is shaping as an elimination final against Newcastle.
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Christian Nicolussi covers rugby league for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.AdvertisementAdvertisement