NRL

Jai Arrow has made a hugely emotional appearance on Triple M Breakfast Sydney ahead of his 100th NRL appearance for the Rabbitohs in tonight’s Round 27 match against the Sydney Roosters.

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Diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) earlier in the year, Arrow spoke candidly about his health outlook and the outpouring of love and support he has received from within the game ever since.

At one stage in the interview, Triple M host Beau Ryan suggested to Arrow it might be the last time he ever sees him, but Arrow was having none of it.

“No, no, don’t worry about me. I understand the disease can be very confronting. I give myself every hope to be around for 10 years at least,” Arrow said.

The conversation also gravitated naturally to last weekend’s Round 26 match against the Gold Coast Titans where Arrow registered his 99th NRL appearance for the Rabbitohs before being substituted for Cameron Murray in some of the most emotional scenes ever witnessed in Australian sport.

‘I’m going to need you when I’m out there’

Asked about his Rabbitohs teammate Cody Walker who stood by Arrow’s side the entire time, the 31-year-old explained ‘it was just Cody being Cody.’

“I spoke with him before the game,” Arrow said.

“I knew I was going to need help, I said to him ‘I’m going to need you when I’m out there’, it was literally a perfect moment.”

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Arrow also discussed the complex feelings of being the father to a very young daughter, explaining he wanted her to see him live as normal a life as possible for as long as possible.

“To see me up and about… living a somewhat normal life helps (other people) and helps my little one as well,” he said.

“I know realistically that my daughter won’t be able to see her dad play again… but I have a choice to make sure that one, I’m around, and two I’m a good father to her and a good husband.”

For tonight’s Sydney Roosters clash at Allianz Stadium, Arrow will once again proudly take the field wearing the Rabbitohs No.23 jersey.

He will start as captain and five-eighth, before leaving the field shortly after time is blown on by referee Adam Gee when he will be replaced by Cody Walker in scenes that are sure to leave not a dry eye in the house.

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