Jai Arrow’s story is so powerful that Roosters and Rabbitohs fans put their differences aside for a few moments as the rugby league world celebrated a special milestone match for a young man whose life has been changed forever.
A sold-out Allianz Stadium came together as South Sydney secured a home final with a 50-20 victory over their archrivals who had a stack of stars on the sidelines.
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But the footy almost felt insignificant on an emotional night in Sydney a week after there were similar scenes on the Gold Coast.
Arrow doesn’t get the chance to finish his career after a devastating motor neuron disease diagnosis earlier in the year, but rugby league will never leave his side with the support since then showing why it’s the greatest game of all.
The former representative forward led his team onto the field as Stand By Me played on the speakers, with You’ll Never Walk Alone coming on as Immortal Ron Coote rang the South Sydney Legacy Bell.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Arrow stood in the middle of the field and acknowledged the crowd before he was subbed off moments after the opening whistle.
Wayne Bennett held the interchange card as Cody Walker came on, with the legendary coach playing a key role in ensuring Arrow reached 100 games for the club who was cheered every time he was shown on the big screen.
The truce was never going to last long, with Roosters enforcer Spencer Leniu involved in several spot fires on and off the field which would have infuriated his coach.
Leniu didn’t appreciate being whacked by Keaon Koloamatangi from a kick-off, with the fiery forward getting in the face of his South Sydney rival when they met later in the set.
Referee Adam Gee awarded the Roosters a set restart after a verbal confrontation but reversed the penalty after Leniu continued to bark at his opponent.
Leniu received a chorus of boos when he was taken off and then gave it to the crowd who continued to abuse him as he stayed warm on the exercise bike.
Tempers eventually spilled over in the final few minutes with Lachlan Hubner and the towering De La Salle Va’a finishing the game in the sin bin after another melee which took the shine off a Latrell Mitchell try against his former side.
Every Souths fan around the country held their breath with four minutes remaining when Mitchell rushed out of the line and ironed out Toby Rodwell, with replays showing there was no high contact.
“That was as savage a shot as I’ve ever seen,” Michael Ennis said on Fox League.
