South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow has retired from the NRL after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). The 30-year-old, who played 12 State of Origin matches for Queensland, had not featured in the 2026 season due to what was initially described as a shoulder injury.
In a statement on Wednesday, Arrow confirmed the diagnosis following months of testing. “After extensive medical testing and consultations regarding ongoing symptoms, I have recently received a diagnosis relating to a nerve and neurological condition,” he said. “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 made his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos in 2016 and went on to play 178 games, also representing the Gold Coast Titans before joining Souths. He was named the Rabbitohs’ player of the year in 2025, winning the George Piggins Medal, as well as clubperson of the year and community contribution awards.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett, who coached Arrow at both Brisbane and South Sydney, paid tribute to the backrower. “He is an honest, genuine, hard-working young man who always puts his family and team before himself,” 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.”
Chief executive Blake Solly added: “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. We know that he will fight this illness with the same bravery, passion and character that was the hallmark of his playing career.”
MND affects around 2,750 people in Australia. It is a group of diseases that damage nerve cells carrying messages from the brain to muscles, and is life-threatening with no known cure. Arrow is now focusing on his health and treatment.
