'Beautiful news': Arrow's wedding inspiring Rabbitohs ahead of birthday bash
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The South Sydney Rabbitohs have vowed to give Jai Arrow the perfect wedding gift with a victory over Newcastle on Sunday afternoon.
Dubbed the 'World's Biggest Birthday Party' to celebrate Arrow's birthday, the clash comes just a week after the retired forward secretly tied the knot with his long-term partner Berina.
The rugby league community has rallied around Arrow since his devastating motor neurone disease diagnosis earlier this season, with Sunday's match against the Knights falling on his 31st birthday.
Staying positive: How the Rabbitohs are backing Jai Arrow
The former Queensland forward initially planned on getting married at the end of the year before the diagnosis altered his plans.
Arrow informed his South Sydney teammates on Monday before announcing the news publicly on social media on Tuesday morning, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
"It's beautiful news," centre Jack Wighton said. "To see the smile on him and his family's faces, the pictures of him with his daughter, it's awesome.
"It's something that lifts us every day when we see things like that, it was an awesome surprise for us too, I didn't even have an idea that it was going ahead."
Match: Rabbitohs v Knights
Round 19 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
8th Position
away Team
Knights
4th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
A crowd of 30,000 fans is expected to descend on Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon to unite in support of Arrow.
Fans in the stands and at home will have the chance to donate to his fight against MND, while the Rabbitohs are hoping to break the world record for most people wearing a party hat at one time.
Two children receive free entry with every paying adult and the Wiggles will perform at half-time.
Spectators will also have a rare chance to walk on to the Accor Stadium field following the match.
The event is the latest initiative to support a former Queensland Origin star, with South Sydney defeating Brisbane in a unique white jersey in Round 15.
Wayne Bennett pays tribute to Jai Arrow with special jersey reveal
Having tasted success in honour of Arrow a few weeks ago, the Rabbitohs are determined to achieve the same result against the in-form Knights on Sunday.
"It was awesome [to get the win over Brisbane]," Wighton said. "It's important we just turn up for each other as a team.
"Everyone's got to get there and back Jai, do their thing for Jai and hopefully we can do a job on the field."
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has named Cameron Murray to back up from Wednesday's Origin decider, while Jayden Sullivan has been selected to replace suspended five-eighth Cody Walker.
Campbell Graham has also been listed to make his return from a calf injury that has kept him sidelined since Round 14.
Newcastle have also named their Origin stars, with Kalyn Ponga at fullback and Bradman Best on the wing.
Knights v Rabbitohs – Round 9, 2026
The Knights claimed an enthralling 42-38 win when the two sides faced off earlier this season, with South Sydney desperate to turn the tables as they look to bounce back from last week's loss to Penrith.
"They've been playing good footy," forward Junior Tatola said. "They've got a good attacking style and their defence is pretty solid.
"When we played a couple of months ago they came out fast and poured on the points. They put 28 points on us in the first half so we've got to be on this week and make sure we start well."
Be there to celebrate the World's Biggest Birthday Party and help raise funds for Jai Arrow's fight with MND. Two kids receive free entry with each paying adult, click here to get your tickets today.
