NRL alters rules to allow Jai Arrow to return for South Sydney on Sunday

South Sydney have been given the NRL’s blessing to allow Jai Arrow to play “two” more games so he can reach 100 NRL matches for the club.

Arrow was forced to retire earlier this year after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

One of the most emotional scenes of the year involved Arrow breaking down in tears while being comforted by his partner, Berina, and their daughter, Ayla, before Souths and the Broncos played in round 15 at Accor Stadium.

Now Arrow will start the game against the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday, then against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night, but will be substituted in the opening seconds of each match.

The NRL has allowed Souths to carry seven players on the bench, and nine interchanges – not eight – to accommodate Arrow.

The game, and its supporters, have done a wonderful job supporting Arrow and raising awareness about MND through various initiatives.

South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly commended NRL boss Peter V’landys and RLPA chief Clint Newton for making the Arrow tribute happen.

“We believe this will provide great inspiration for everyone watching the game from the stadium or at home, showing that MND will not hold Jai, or anyone else, back from achieving what they want to achieve in life,” Solly said.

“This initiative will also help to raise awareness and funds for Jai and his fight with MND and afford him the honour of playing 100 first grade games for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, something only a select few players have achieved in their careers, and give him due recognition for the efforts he has made for South Sydney and the sport over the past decade.”

Souths trained on a wet Tuesday morning at Heffron Park with Latrell Mitchell expected to return from injury for the first time since May 15.