Jai Arrow retires from NRL after motor neurone disease diagnosis

Rugby league representative player Jai Arrow has retired from the NRL after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), the South Sydney Rabbitohs announced Wednesday.

Arrow, 30, the Rabbitohs’ reigning player of the year, had not played in the 2026 NRL season after a pre-season issue initially described as a shoulder injury.

“After extensive medical testing and consultations regarding ongoing symptoms, I have recently received a diagnosis relating to a nerve and neurological condition,” Arrow said in a statement.

“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 am 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, treatment, and rehabilitation.”

Arrow played 12 matches for Queensland and made his NRL debut in 2016 for the Brisbane Broncos, amassing 178 NRL games over his career.

MND affects about 2,750 people in Australia, impacting nerve cells that transmit messages from the brain to muscles via the spinal cord.

The disease is life-threatening, though its progression varies; there is currently no cure.

Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett, who coached Arrow at both the Rabbitohs and the Broncos, described the backrower as “an honest, genuine, hard-working young man” who always puts his family and team first.

“He has always been the same,” Bennett said. “This is a difficult time for Jai and his family, however we want to pay tribute to him for everything he has given his teammates, his coaches and his communities in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the people of Queensland, and here in south Sydney.”

“Most importantly, we pay tribute to him for the family man he has become. He is a special guy and we’re all very lucky to have him at our club and in our lives.”

Arrow was awarded the George Piggins Medal last year as the Rabbitohs’ best player, along with clubperson of the year and community contribution accolades.

Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly said Arrow will always be part of the club.

“Unfortunately, we won’t see Jai on the field of play in the NRL again due to this diagnosis, but handling this situation is much more important than football for Jai and his family,” Solly said.

“We all know how difficult the past few months have been for Jai, but we also know that he will fight this illness with the same bravery, passion and character that was the hallmark of his playing career.”