Murray planning 200km journey to support close mate Jai
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NSW forward and Rabbitohs captain Cam Murray has revealed his plan to return to Sydney for Thursday night's celebration of recently retired star Jai Arrow when South Sydney take on the Broncos.
Murray is currently in camp with the Blues on the Central Coast, however he is desperate to be at Accor Stadium for Thursday's match.
The rugby league world has been rocked since Arrow announced a devastating motor neuron disease diagnosis last month.
Staying positive: How the Rabbitohs are backing Jai Arrow
The Queensland representative played for both South Sydney and Brisbane throughout his career and the clubs will unite to celebrate one of their own on Thursday.
"They're doing something special for Jai so I'm going to try and get myself down there to watch the game and be there for the boys and Jai," Murray told NRL.com. "I'm keen to see how it all goes and hopefully the boys put on a special performance.
"Jai is really inspiring. He's one of those guys that didn't have to try to be an inspiration, he was just that type of player who was inspiring.
"To see how he's handled everything so far and the strength he's shown is second to none. He's an inspiration, he's an incredible human, so I love him. We're all going to try and be there for him for the journey.
"I can't sing his praises enough about what he's been able to do the last couple of months, how he's held himself and the strength he's shown. He's already proving to be a massive inspiration for everyone."
Match: Rabbitohs v Broncos
Round 15 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
8th Position
away Team
Broncos
12th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
South Sydney named Arrow in jumper No.23 for Thursday's match and he will proudly ring the club's Legacy Bell as the players run on to the field prior to kick off.
The 30-year-old started his career with the Broncos, making his debut in 2016 and playing 24 games across two seasons before moving to the Gold Coast and later joining the Rabbitohs.
Arrow is Brisbane's player No.222, with the players to wear the number and the word Jai on their jersey for Thursday's match.
The Broncos' jerseys will be auctioned off, with the proceeds going to support Arrow and his family, with fans at the ground also able to donate to the cause.
The Rabbitohs will wear a special white jersey, with the only colour to be the name Arrow on the back of each player's jumper.
THANK YOU JAI #1166 will be painted on the Accor Stadium turf, while the Burrow will pay tribute with a banner to be unveiled before kick off.
Jai Arrow Try
Brisbane captain Adam Reynolds' played alongside Arrow at the Rabbitohs and said it's vital the rugby league community rallies to support one of their own.
"Jai's an old boy, he represented this club," Reynolds told reporters in Brisbane. "I've got a great friendship with Jai, we've got some great memories on and off the field.
"It's an important week, not only for us, not only for South Sydney, but the whole game, sport and life in general. If we can contribute and make a change in trying to find a cure, it's more than worth going out there and representing Jai.
"I love the bloke, he competed hard on the field, he is a champion fella and he gets the boys up wherever he is. It's going to be an honour to wear his name and number on the jersey this weekend, and with South Sydney representing Jai with their jersey, it makes for a great weekend."
Arrow developed a reputation as one of the toughest forwards in the game since making his NRL debut and represented the Maroons on 12 occasions.
Away from the field, he was viewed as a lovable character and dedicated teammate who would go the extra mile to support those around him.
Murray said those traits made him so hard to play against but great to have alongside you on the field.
"He's one of those players that you hate to play against because he's a bit of a headache, to say it nicely," Murray said. "Once you put on the same colours as him and run out next to him, then it's incredible.
"He was one of the best teammates I've run out next to and that's what he prided himself on. He's always said all he wants to do is be a good teammate, he never wanted to let his mates down and he never did that once in his career.
"That memory of the person he was and the values he stood for when he wore that jersey will live on forever."
Secure your seats with $30 Adult tickets, $15 Kids tickets and $75 Family tickets for an unmissable Rabbitohs home game against the Broncos at Accor Stadium. Make it count and support Jai’s Fight against MDN.
