Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has rallied behind South Sydney enforcer Jai Arrow, delivering a heartfelt message of support as the Rabbitohs veteran confronts a devastating motor neurone disease diagnosis.
The former Queensland State of Origin enforcer made an emotional address on Wednesday where he announced that he would retire from the NRL immediately after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Mr Albanese is a lifelong supporter of the South Sydney Rabbitohs and extended his thoughts and support to Arrow and his family at the official opening of St George Illawarra’s new centre of excellence on Friday.
‘I do want to acknowledge that Jai Arrow is going through a really tough time,’ Albanese said.
‘He is a gentle giant off the field. I met his dad after an Origin game, a very proud Queenslander from the north.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, pictured with Alex Johnstone, has thrown his support behind Bunnies star Jai Arrow
Arrow was forced into premature retirement after being diagnosed with the neurological disease MND
Albanese, pictured with South Sydney part-owner Russell Crowe, is a lifelong supporter of the Rabbitohs
‘I think all rugby league followers, our thoughts are with Jai and his wonderful family at this difficult time.’
Souths chief executive Blake Solly and coach Wayne Bennett revealed the devastating diagnosis on Wednesday.
‘There’s goosebumps running through me now. It’s just the last way you want someone to retire,’ an emotional Bennett said.
‘But it is what it is and he’s handling it great and he’s helping us handle it a lot better as well.’
Only 30, Arrow played 98 games for the Rabbitohs after Bennett lured the classy forward to the club in 2021, having handed the then-20-year-old his first-grade debut at Brisbane a decade ago.
Arrow also had four seasons at Gold Coast following his two-year stint at the Broncos and played 12 games for Queensland between 2018 and 2023.
He helped the Maroons win series in 2020, 2022 and 2023 while also playing in the Rabbitohs’ 2021 grand final loss to Penrith.
‘He’s a wonderful young man to be part of the football club,’ Bennett said.
Arrow faces a huge battle against the disease, which has no cure and gradually impacts the ability to talk, walk and ultimately breathe
Arrow has been invited back into Maroons camp by Queensland coach Billy Slater as the rugby league world throws its arms around the embattled star
‘We can’t believe what’s going to happen to him but he knows he’s got the support of everybody in the change room and he knows he’s got the support of everybody on the staff.
‘And he deserves all the accolades and all the support that he can get because he has a battle on his hands. He knows that and he also knows that he won’t have to do it by himself.
‘He’ll need that, but we’ll always be there for him in this club. That’s just the DNA of this club. He’ll need us and we’ll need him. No one’s walking away from anybody.’
The father of a one-year-old daughter is hugely respected in NRL circles and won the George Piggins Medal in 2025 as the Rabbitohs’ player of the year.
He also won the Bob McCarthy club person of the year award in 2025, the Souths Cares Award for outstanding contributions to the community and The Burrow Appreciation Award in 2024.
Arrow was also a finalist for the NRL’s Ken Stephen Medal in 2025 for his work with Souths Cares, Whatability and Vinnies Vans.
While declining to take questions, he bravely fronted Wednesday’s press conference in Sydney as Solly read out a statement from Arrow.
‘Thank you for the support I’ve received over what has been an incredibly difficult and uncertain period in my life,’ the statement said.
‘After extensive medical testing and consultations regarding ongoing symptoms, I have recently received a diagnosis relating to a nerve and neurological condition.
‘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 thanked the entire South Sydney club – from fans, staff and teammates including Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, who were also present for the announcement – for their support.
He vowed 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,’ he said.
‘This is only part of my story and when the time is right I’ll share more.’
Arrow’s diagnosis comes two and a half years after former Maroons forward Carl Webb died of MND aged 42.
The rugby league world was also rocked when Western Suburbs, Balmain and North Sydney great Scott Gale died of the debilitating condition at just 39 in 2004.
