NRL allows Jai Arrow to play 100 matches for South Sydney
Australia's National Rugby League (NRL) has granted the South Sydney Rabbitohs special permission allowing Jai Arrow to take part in the final two rounds of the regular season and bring his number of matches for the team to 100. This was reported by ABC News Australia.
NRL special permission
The 31-year-old forward will start the matches in rounds 26 and 27. He will be substituted in the opening seconds of the game before taking an active part in play. The league allowed the Rabbitohs to name Arrow as an additional player and receive an additional interchange.
Arrow was forced to retire in May after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease. South Sydney asked the NRL to allow the former Queensland representative to take the field one last time while he is still able to walk and run.
Final matches of the season
In the penultimate round of the regular championship, South Sydney will play on the Gold Coast against Arrow's former club, the Titans. In the final match, the team will face the Sydney Roosters in Sydney. Arrow will lead the team onto the field before both games and, after being substituted, will remain on the bench in South Sydney kit.
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The two appearances will increase Arrow's career total to 180 matches and his total for the Rabbitohs to 100. The plan was supported by the Titans, the Roosters and the Rugby League Players Association.
Support for Arrow
South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly thanked the NRL and the Players Association for supporting the proposal. According to him, the club believes Arrow's participation can inspire spectators and show that motor neurone disease should not prevent people from achieving their goals.
The rugby league community supported Arrow after his diagnosis and retirement in May. In July, when South Sydney defeated Newcastle, the league held a birthday celebration for him. Fundraising to support Arrow has already exceeded $1 million.
