Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow has spoken for the first time since revealing he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease, forcing him to medically retire from the NRL.
The 30-year-old left the rugby league world in shock on Wednesday when he fronted media alongside coach Wayne Bennett and club boss Blake Solly.
Arrow fought back tears as Solly read out a pre-prepared statement from the former State of Origin star, confirming the life-changing diagnosis.
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In his first interview after making it public, Arrow spoke to Nine’s Danika Mason to detail his first reaction to the news and what the past six months has looked like, with his speech already impacted by the neurological disease.
“I laughed,” he said on 9News Sydney.
Jai Arrow speaks to Nine. Nine
“Not that I laughed, but my first question was ‘all right, where do I go now?’ [It has] progressed from November until now. Speech is one of those things [that is different].
Arrow was asked what the future looked like for him and he had a defiant message.
“To fight,” the Bunnies forward said.
“I wanted to do this to let people know I am OK and I am ready to fight.
“I do really have a lot. Nothing is gonna take me out easy. I wanna do everything I can – any trial, any medication that will maintain me for as long as I can.
“I want to inspire other people who have been diagnosed.”
The 12-time Queensland representative said his daughter Ayla Rae was his “greatest strength” as he prepares to face his toughest challenge yet.
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Emotions ran high at the club’s Maroubra headquarters around lunchtime when Solly read out a statement from Arrow, who was seated at the press conference but did not speak or answer questions and was visibly emotional.
“Thank you to everyone for being here and for the support over what has been an incredibly difficult and uncertain period in my life,” Arrow’s statement said.
“After extensive medical testing and consultations regarding ongoing symptoms, I’ve recently received a diagnosis relating to nerve and neurological condition.
Jai Arrow during his retirement announcement. Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
“Further tests, specialist reviews and medical processes are still ongoing and my doctors are continuing to assess my condition.
“Over recent months, my symptoms have affected different parts of my everyday life.
“On medical advice, I’m not currently medically cleared to train or play at the required level and I will be stepping away from those duties while I focus fully on my health.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone at the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the personal support they’ve shown me and my family throughout this process. My teammates, staff and everyone behind the scenes have made an incredibly hard situation much easier.
“To my teammates, thank you for treating me exactly the same every single day. Within minutes of walking through the doors, most of you are still making me laugh with your usual banter and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Jai Arrow. Getty
“To my family and close mates, thank you for standing beside me through all of this.
“I know the road ahead won’t be easy, but anyone who knows me knows I’m competitive, stubborn and ready to fight this with everything I’ve got.
“What I need right now isn’t sympathy or sadness. What I need is support, understanding and privacy while my family and I navigate this difficult time.
“This is only part of my story and when the time is right, I will share more. For now, I ask everyone to respect my privacy while I continue working with my doctors and family.”
The tough and uncompromising back-rower played 178 first grade games across stints with the Broncos, Titans and Rabbitohs, while also representing Queensland 12 times.
Arrow became a popular member of the South Sydney club on and off the field.
Jai Arrow and Latrell Mitchell in 2025. Getty
Many of his teammates were quick to share tributes for Arrow on social media.
Cameron Murray wrote “one of the greats, love you forever” via his Instagram story, while superstar Latrell Mitchell described Arrow as the “ultimate teammate”.
Retired star Josh Mansour said “will support you through thick and thin brother” while Broncos captain Adam Reynolds and Dragons prop Hame Sele both commented on their former club’s post sharing their love for Arrow as well.
Tom Burgess – who along with his brothers Sam, George and Luke – lost his father to MND as a teenager and vowed to stand in solidarity with his former Souths teammate.
“My mate, I’ve always been in the fight against MND since my dad never more so than now! I know you’re going to take this head on,” Burgess wrote via Instagram.
“I’m behind you every step of the way.”
Solly, who has been involved with Souths throughout Arrow’s entire stint with the club, believes the character shown during his career will help him moving forward.
“His contribution to the game and to our club and community will never be forgotten. Jai reached the highest levels the sport had to offer, but aside from the brave and unrelenting player he was on the field, he was a terrific clubman,” the CEO said.
“We will be doing everything we can to support Jai through the months ahead. Anyone who knows his character knows what a brave and courageous character he is.
“That passion and that character that have been the hallmark of his career will no doubt be a hallmark of this fight he has on his hands.
“Jai and his family will always be Rabbitohs and will part of this club for many years.”
One man who has been involved for plenty of Arrow’s career is legendary coach Bennett, who rewarded the forward with a debut as a teenager in Brisbane.
Jai Arrow celebrates a State of Origin series win. Getty
Bennett revealed he was the person who encouraged the now 30-year-old to seek a long-term future away from the Broncos, before the pair were reunited at Souths.
“There’s not a lot I can add other than the great pleasure of being part of his life since 2015 when I came back to the Broncos and he was playing U21s,” he said.
“I suggested to him when he was coming into the NRL when he had an opportunity to go to the Titans. We were pretty stacked up at the Broncos at the time and I thought he was a very valuable person and player and that he would play a lot of NRL.
“I got the opportunity to come here and coach … one of the first players I signed was Jai, he was off-contract at that stage – he’s been at South Sydney ever since.
“He’s a wonderful young man. You see some of his teammates here today and like all of us, we can’t believe what’s happened to him, but the fact is it’s happened and he has to call it time – but he knows he’s got the support of everybody in the changeroom.
“He’ll need that, but we will always be there for him at this club.”
Jai Arrow at his retirement press conference. Getty
Bennett also didn’t miss the chance to share a joke at Arrow’s expense, putting a smile on the outgoing star’s face in an otherwise solemn moment.
“If you look at his football ability, he’s not what you’d call a natural,” the coach laughed.
“To achieve what he’s achieved – he played Origin, he captained the club here but he was the sixth captain here last year, that’s how many I used – but no one tried harder than he did last year for us when we had a lot of players missing.
“He will fight and that’s why he’s here today and played all the NRL games he’s played.”
Bennett was then asked about being a ‘father figure’ towards many players including Arrow during his career, which prompted a brief pause for a clearly emotional coach.
“It’s not what you want – I’ve got goosebumps running through me now,” he said.
“He’s handled it great and he’s helping us handle it a lot better as well. He’s maintained coming to training … he will keep coming and we’ll take him on trips with us away.
“We don’t need to cut him loose, we need him here with us. He loves the banter, he loves the mateship … everybody loves him, he’s mates with everybody.
“He brings so much to the changeroom. He will hang around here as long as he possibly can, that’s the DNA of this club. We will need us and we will need him.”