South Sydney Rabbitohs player Jai Arrow has announced his retirement from rugby league after being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).The 30-year-old has made 178 appearances in the National Rugby League (NRL) but hadn’t featured in 2026 after a serious shoulder injury.GettyArrow has been forced to retire from rugby league after a ten-year professional career[/caption]On Wednesday, Arrow revealed he had received a shock MND diagnosis, sharing the news in an emotional press conference.The Australian was unable to speak, but had a written statement read out where he announced his retirement on medical grounds.He revealed he had undergone testing and experienced symptoms that had affected different part of his everyday life.Arrow’s statement said: “After extensive medical testing and consultations regarding ongoing symptoms, I have recently received a diagnosis relating to a nerve and neurological condition.“Further tests, specialist reviews and medical processes are still ongoing, and my doctors are continuing to assess my condition.“On medical advice, I am not currently medically cleared to train or play at the required level, and I will be stepping away from those duties while I focus fully on my health, treatment, and rehabilitation.”MND is a disease which attacks the nerves controlling movement, rendering muscles increasingly useless.This causes them to weaken and stiffen over time and usually affects how a person walks, talks, eats and breathes.Distinguished careerSince making his professional debut for the Brisbane Broncos in 2016, Arrow has gone on to make 178 NRL appearances, also featuring for the Gold Coast Titans and the Rabbitohs across a ten-year career.He was named the Rabbitohs’ player of the year in 2025, and has also played 12 State of Origin matches for Queensland, GettyArrow was emotional as a statement confirming his heart-breaking diagnosis was read out[/caption]GettyThe Australian was unable to speak during the press conference[/caption]Arrow is the latest player from both codes of rugby to be diagnosed with MND.Former Leeds Rhinos scrum-half Rob Burrow died from MND in 2024. British and Irish Lions stalwart Doddie Weir passed away in November 2022, while former Queensland icon Carl Webb also died from the disease in 2023.World Cup-winning former England international Lewis Moody revealed his MND diagnosis in October 2025.‘Incredibly difficult’After sharing his heart-breaking news, Arrow thanked the South Sydney Rabbitohs for their support throughout a hugely challenging period.He said: “Thank you for the support I’ve received over what has been an incredibly difficult and uncertain period in my life.“Over recent months, my symptoms have affected different parts of my everyday life.GettyArrow joined the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2021[/caption]“I want to sincerely thank everyone at the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the personal support they have shown me and my family throughout this process.“The South Sydney Rabbitohs, my teammates, staff, and everyone behind the scenes have made an incredibly hard situation much easier to face.“What I need right now isn’t sympathy or sadness. What I need is support, understanding and privacy while my family and I navigate this difficult time.“This is only part of my story, and when the time is right, I’ll share more. But for now, I ask everyone to respect my privacy while I continue working with my doctors and my family.”Full supportRabbitohs head coach Wayne Bennett – who also coached Arrow at the Broncos where he made his NRL debut – paid tribute to Arrow as both a player and a person following his devastating news.Bennett said: “I’ve had the pleasure of coaching Jai for many years now, firstly at the Broncos and now at South Sydney.GettyArrow was joined by Rabbitohs Coach Wayne Bennett (far right) as his MND diagnosis was revealed[/caption]“Jai is an honest, genuine, hard-working young man who always puts his family and his team first. He has always been the same.“This is a difficult time for Jai and his family. However, we want to pay tribute to him for everything he has given his teammates, his coaches and his communities in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the people of Queensland, and here in South Sydney.“Most importantly, we pay tribute to him for the family man he has become. He is a special guy and we’re all very lucky to have him at our club and in our lives.”