2 weeks ago
Rugby convention typical subordinate Jai Arrow has retired from nan NRL pursuing a daze aesculapian test of centrifugal neurone illness (MND).
Souths’ reigning subordinate of nan year, who played 12 matches for Queensland, had not played successful nan NRL successful 2026 aft an rumor successful pre-season that was described arsenic a enarthrosis injury.
The 30-year-old issued a connection connected Wednesday confirming that, aft months of testing, he had precocious received nan diagnosis.
“After extended aesculapian testing and consultations regarding ongoing symptoms, I person precocious received a test relating to a nervus and neurological condition,” he said.
“Further tests, master reviews and aesculapian processes are still ongoing, and my doctors are continuing to measure my condition.
“Over caller months, my symptoms person affected different parts of my mundane life.
“On aesculapian advice, I americium not presently medically cleared to train aliases play astatine nan required level, and I will beryllium stepping distant from those duties while I attraction afloat connected my health, treatment, and rehabilitation.”
Around 2,750 group are surviving pinch MND successful Australia. The information describes a group of diseases that effect nervus cells which transportation messages from nan encephalon to muscles done nan spinal cord.
MND is life threatening, though nan velocity it affects each personification is different. There is presently nary cure.
Souths coach Wayne Bennett – who coached Arrow astatine nan Rabbitohs and astatine nan Broncos wherever he made his NRL debut almost a decade agone – described nan backrower arsenic “an honest, genuine, hard-working young man” who ever puts his family and squad earlier himself.
“He has ever been nan same,” Bennett said. “This is simply a difficult clip for Jai and his family, nevertheless we want to salary tribute to him for everything he has fixed his teammates, his coaches and his communities successful Brisbane, nan Gold Coast, nan group of Queensland, and present successful southbound Sydney.
“Most importantly, we salary tribute to him for nan family man he has become. He is simply a typical feline and we’re each very fortunate to person him astatine our nine and successful our lives.”
Arrow played 178 NRL games pursuing his debut successful 2016 and was awarded nan George Piggins badge past twelvemonth for nan Rabbitohs’ champion player, alongside different accolades for clubperson of nan twelvemonth and his publication to nan community.
Rabbitohs main executive Blake Solly said Arrow will ever beryllium portion of nan club.
“Unfortunately, we won’t spot Jai connected nan section of play successful nan NRL again owed to this diagnosis, but handling this business is overmuch much important than shot for Jai and his family,” he said.
“We each cognize really difficult nan past fewer months person been for Jai, but we besides cognize that he will conflict this unwellness pinch nan aforesaid bravery, passion and characteristic that was nan hallmark of his playing career.”
