South Sydney will turn Thursday night’s round 15 clash against Brisbane into a farewell for Jai Arrow, with the Rabbitohs hosting the Broncos at Accor Stadium at 7:50pm AEST. Arrow is set to ring the Legacy Bell before kick-off in a match built around the recently retired forward’s career.
It is the kind of night rugby league clubs reserve for players who left a mark on more than the scoreboard. South Sydney have leaned into that idea with a special whiteout strip, stripped-back sponsor logos and one unmistakable detail: ARROW across the shoulders in green, the only colour on the jersey apart from black numbers.
The fixture matters for more than the tribute. The Rabbitohs are in eighth place with six wins and six losses from 12 matches, while Brisbane sit 12th after five wins and eight losses from 13 games. Both teams arrive under pressure, with South Sydney on a three-game losing run after last week’s 14-28 defeat to Manly-Warringah and Brisbane having dropped five straight, including a 23-28 loss to Gold Coast in round 14.
That recent slide gives the night a sharper edge. South Sydney last tasted victory in round 10, when they beat Cronulla-Sutherland 36-12 at Accor Stadium, and Wayne Bennett has named several changes from the side beaten by Manly. Cody Walker will captain the Rabbitohs from five-eighth and sits on 195 career try assists, five short of 200, with Ashton Ward at halfback and Jye Gray at fullback.
Jai Arrow’s name is still in the mix too, even if it is only in the reserves, with jersey 23 listed on the team sheet. Cameron Murray, Campbell Graham and Sean Keppie are out, while Jayden Sullivan, John Radel and Dayne Jennings are among those in the extended squad, leaving open the question of whether the man being celebrated will end up taking the field or simply own the night from the sideline.
What is certain is the timing around the tribute. General public gates open at 7pm and corporate gates at 6:30pm, giving fans time to take in the special kit and the limited-edition match-day touchpoints before kick-off. By Thursday night, the round 15 meeting between broncos vs rabbitohs will have become as much a statement about Arrow’s South Sydney career as a game between two sides trying to stop their seasons from slipping further.
