The distinctive white jersey donned by the South Sydney Rabbitohs this evening carries a significant message. The team will sport a white uniform featuring the name “ARROW” emblazoned in green on the back. This initiative aims to show support for Jai Arrow, a gesture from the rugby league community to let him know he is not alone in his battle.
Brandon Smith, speaking on Fox League, expressed the pride felt by the players in participating in this meaningful match. “This is a fantastic chance for us to celebrate Jai’s remarkable contributions to Souths, the Broncos, the Gold Coast, and throughout his entire career,” he stated. “He is an incredibly resilient individual, and having him around the club is invaluable. Playing in this special game holds great significance for us.”
The matchup between the Manly Sea Eagles and the South Sydney Rabbitohs will kick off at various times across Australia and New Zealand:
- 7:50 PM AEST: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, PNG
- 7:20 PM ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory
- 5:20 PM AWST: Western Australia
- 9:50 PM NZST: New Zealand, Fiji
- 10:50 PM: Tonga, Samoa
Jai Arrow, who wears the number 23 for the Rabbitohs, is being honored this evening. With Cam Murray away for Origin duties, Lachlan Hubner will take the position at lock. Additionally, due to an injury, centre Campbell Graham will not play, leading to Tallis Duncan switching from second-row to centre and Euan Aitken stepping into the second-row role.
The Brisbane Broncos have also made adjustments, with Xavier Willison moving from starting lock to starting prop and Jack Gosiewski shifting to the bench. Josh Rogers has been promoted from the bench to start at lock. Several key players, including Kotoni Staggs, Payne Haas, and Reece Walsh, are unavailable due to Origin commitments, and they will be replaced in the starting lineup by Antonio Verhoeven, Willison, and Hayze Perham. Jordan Riki will make his return from injury to play in the second-row position.
While South Sydney will wear their traditional cardinal and myrtle colors, tonight’s event features a unique ‘whiteout’ jersey dedicated to Jai Arrow. The Broncos will also pay tribute to Arrow, incorporating his name and number 222 into their uniforms.
Good evening, Australia. Welcome to the live digital coverage of the 2026 NRL premiership season presented by ABC Sport. Tonight, the South Sydney Rabbitohs host the Brisbane Broncos at Stadium Australia, but the spotlight is on a more significant cause. Jai Arrow, who had to retire after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), is being celebrated this evening.
Arrow has made contributions to both clubs during his illustrious career, and this match is dedicated to him. Stay with us for comprehensive coverage throughout the evening, and feel free to share your insights on the game in the comment section.
As the Rabbitohs and Broncos face off in round 15, both teams are looking to break their losing streaks while paying homage to Jai Arrow, who is officially listed as a reserve for South Sydney in the number 23 jersey.
