Jai Arrow may have only been on the field for seconds in his 100th NRL match for South Sydney but his appearance united the game and inspired the sporting world, as well as the Rabbitohs.
Arrow led Souths out in emotional scenes at Allianz Stadium before Friday night's 50-20 defeat of 1908 rivals Sydney Roosters and was interchanged by star five-eighth and close friend Cody Walker.
The bravery and leadership shown by Arrow since his diagnosis with Motor Neurone Disease was made public has had a global impact with athletes across the sporting world performing the "Arrow" celebration after scoring in their code during "Jai July".
Emotional scenes as Arrow takes to the field for game 100 for the Rabbitohs
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle was so moved by the scenes in Arrow's 100th match that he invited him to sit on bench during Friday's NFL match at the MCG, while Prime Minister Anthony Albanese - a devout Rabbitohs fan and former club director - was among those to pay tribute to him.
The former Queensland Origin star, who represented the PM's XIII in 2019, was named Player-of-the-Match by Channel Nine and received South Sydney's Bob McCarthy Club Person of the Year award from Walker.
Arrow, who attended Sunday's match at WIN Stadium with Walker to support former team-mate Damien Cook in his farewell NRL game, has been nominated for the RLWC26 Team of the Week, along with Walker.
He is only the 67th player to make 100 first grade appearances for South Sydney in the club's 118-year history, demonstrating that not even MND can stop people from achieving their goals and living their dreams.
"Not your normal way to make 100 but what a ride. Never been more proud to play 100 in red and green," Arrow posted on Instagram.
Meanwhile, inspirational Raiders prop Josh Papali'i has also been nominated for the World Cup Team of the Week after ending his NRL career on a high with a try in Canberra's 50-30 win against the Cowboys.
Josh Papalii Try
Papali'i is set to retire after the World Cup and is considering represent his Cook Islands heritage after previously playing for Samoa.
Each week, fans vote for their RLWC26 Team of the Week from players nominated after the previous weekend's NRL and Super League matches who are eligible for the 10 nations contesting Rugby League World Cup 2026.
Casey closed
Among the players nominated for the RLWC2026 Team of the Week are:
- Kiwis fullback candidate Taine Tuaupiki (Warriors), centres Casey McLean (Panthers) and Matt Timoko (Raiders), winger Josiah Karapani (Broncos), prop Joseph Tapine (Raiders), hooker Brandon Smith (Rabbitohs), secondrower Isaiah Papali'i (Panthers) and lock Erin Clark (Warriors). Warriors secondrower Jacob Laban is also eligible for New Zealand, while hooker Wayde Egan is also considering whether to change his eligibility from Australia.
- Toa Samoa fullback contenders Sua Faalogo (Storm) and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins), winger Brian To'o (Panthers), secondrowers Jacob Laban (Warriors) and Brian Pouniu (Dolphins), and prop Payne Haas (Samoa). Titans prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui is yet to confirm if he will play for Samoa or Australia.
- England centres Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins), AJ Brimson (Titans) and Umyla Hanley (Leigh), halfback Harry Smith (Wigan) and hooker Jez Litten (Hull KR).
- Tonga halfback Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins), winger Lehi Hopoate (Sea Eagles), props Addin Fonua-Blake (Sharks) and Stefano Utoikamanu (Storm), and secondrowers David Fifita (Rabbitohs), Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles) and Salesi Foketi (Roosters). Rabbitohs prop Keaon Koloamatangi played for the Kangaroos in last year's Ashes series but is also eligible for Tonga and represented his heritage at the last World Cup in 2022.
- Fiji centre Solomone Saukuru (Wests Tigers), secondrowers Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs) and Kitione Kautoga (Eels), and lock Caleb Navale (Sea Eagles).
- Lebanon centre Jordan Samrani (Eels).
- Papua New Guinea winger Alex Johnston (Rabbitohs) and centre Josh Feledy (Sea Eagles), who is eligible through his grandfather.
- Cook Islands winger Paul Ulberg (Toulouse).
NRL Round Up - Round 27, 2026
Vote for your World Cup Team of the Week
Rugby League World Cup 2026 returns to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. Where nations clash, heroes rise, and legends are forged. 3 World Cups. 26 Teams. The World’s Best. Tickets are now on sale from $19. Don’t miss the pinnacle of global Rugby League.
