Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow has announced his retirement from the NRL on medical grounds after revealing a motor neurone disease diagnosis.

The former State of Origin star hasn’t played this season due to shoulder issues and fronted media on Wednesday alongside chief executive Blake Solly and coach Wayne Bennett.

Solly read out a statement from Arrow, who was seated at the press conference but did not speak and was visibly emotional.

“Thank you to everyone for being here and for the support over what has been an incredibly difficult and uncertain period in my life,” the statement said.

“After extensive medical testing and consultations regarding ongoing symptoms, I’ve recently received a diagnosis relating to nerve and neurological condition.

Jair Arrow of the Rabbitohs retires. Nine

“Further tests, specialist reviews and medical processes are still ongoing and my doctors are continuing to assess my condition.

“Over recent months, my symptoms have affected different parts of my everyday life.

“On medical advice, I’m 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.

“I want to sincerely thank everyone at the South Sydney Rabbitohs for the personal support they’ve shown me and my family throughout this process. My teammates, staff and everyone behind the scenes have made an incredibly hard situation much easier.

“To my teammates, thank you for treating me exactly the same every single day. Within minutes of walking through the doors, most of you are still making me laugh with your usual banter and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

“To my family and close mates, thank you for standing beside me through all of this.
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“I know the road ahead won’t be easy, but anyone who knows me knows I’m competitive, stubborn and ready to fight this with everything I’ve got.

Jai Arrow. Getty

“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 will share more. For now, I ask everyone to respect my privacy while I continue working with my doctors and family.”

The tough and uncompromising back-rower played 178 first grade games across stints with the Broncos, Titans and Rabbitohs, while also representing Queensland 12 times.

Arrow became a popular member of the South Sydney club on and off the field, earning high praise from the chief executive during Wednesday’s devastating announcement.

“His contribution to the game and to our club and community will never be forgotten. Jai reached the highest levels the sport had to offer, but aside from the brave and unrelenting player he was on the field, he was a terrific clubman,” Solly said.

“We will be doing everything we can to support Jai through the months ahead. Anyone who knows his character knows what a brave and courageous character he is.

“That passion and that character that have been the hallmark of his career will no doubt be a hallmark of this fight he has on his hands.

“Jai and his family will always be Rabbitohs and will part of this club for many years.”

One man who has been involved for plenty of Arrow’s career is legendary coach Bennett, who rewarded the forward with a debut as a teenager in Brisbane.

Jai Arrow celebrates a State of Origin series win. Getty

Bennett revealed he was the person who encouraged the now 30-year-old to seek a long-term future away from the Broncos, before the pair were reunited at Souths.

“There’s not a lot I can add other than the great pleasure of being part of his life since 2015 when I came back to the Broncos and he was playing U21s,” he said.

“I suggested to him when he was coming into the NRL when he had an opportunity to go to the Titans. We were pretty stacked up at the Broncos at the time and I thought he was a very valuable person and player and that he would play a lot of NRL.

“I got the opportunity to come here and coach … one of the first players I signed was Jai, he was off-contract at that stage – he’s been at South Sydney ever since.

“He’s a wonderful young man. You see some of his teammates here today and like all of us, we can’t believe what’s happened to him, but the fact is it’s happened and he has to call it time – but he knows he’s got the support of everybody in the changeroom.

“He’ll need that, but we will always be there for him at this club.”

Bennett also didn’t miss the chance to share a joke at Arrow’s expense, putting a smile on the outgoing star’s face in an otherwise solemn moment.

“If you look at his football ability, he’s not what you’d call a natural,” the coach laughed.

Wayne Bennett cracks a joke during Jai Arrow’s retirement. Nine

“To achieve what he’s achieved – he played Origin, he captained the club here but he was the sixth captain here last year, that’s how many I used – but no one tried harder than he did last year for us when we had a lot of players missing.

“He will fight and that’s why he’s here today and played all the NRL games he’s played.”

Bennett was then asked about being a ‘father figure’ towards Arrow during his career, which prompted a brief pause for a clearly emotional coach.

“It’s not what you want – I’ve got goosebumps running through me now,” he said.

“He’s handled it great and he’s helping us handle it a lot better as well. He’s maintained coming to training … he will keep coming and we’ll take him on trips with us away.

“We don’t need to cut him loose, we need him here with us. He loves the banter, he loves the mateship … everybody loves him, he’s mates with everybody.

“He brings so much to the changeroom. He will hang around here as long as he possibly can, that’s the DNA of this club. We will need us and we will need him.”