The rule change that allowed Jai Arrow to get 100 games

With Jai Arrow set to feature in South Sydney’s final two matches of the season to reach the magical milestone of 100 club games, South Sydney CEO Blake Solly explained how the idea came to be.

Having been diagnosed with MND in May, which forced him to retire from the NRL, the Rugby League and wider Australian sporting community has rallied behind the former Queensland representative.

To celebrate his 31st Birthday in July, the NRL threw the World’s Biggest Birthday Party at Accor Stadium when the Rabbitohs took on the Knights, which saw the Wiggles perform at halftime and fans enjoy a slice of cake on the field.

Alongside the celebrations, ‘Jai July’ was in full swing in the competition with every try scored during that month seeing donations from the corporate world to the cause.

But the second rower will return to the field for two more occasions in cardinal and myrtle. This sees the 31-year-old play 100 NRL games for Souths and sees his overall total reach 180 games.

Reflecting on how it first came to be, Solly admitted that many club officials had been working on the idea for a little while.

“It was first mentioned a few weeks ago, and it was an idea of Wayne (Bennett) as head coach, Jason Clark, our football manager, Claudia Lovett and Jeremy (Monahan) in our media team, that looked at Jai's record,” Solly said on SEN’s Vossy’s Verdict.

“He'd not reached 100 games at any of the three clubs that he'd played at, and he was stuck on 98 with us.

“Given his contribution to our club and his contribution to the game generally, it would be wonderful if he could get that achievement.

“And 100 games means a lot to every NRL player who achieves it.

“So, we hatched the idea that potentially he could play or run on in the last two games and get that 100-game milestone which he thoroughly deserves.

“The Titans, the Roosters, the NRL and the RLPA have been absolutely terrific since we came up with the idea and arranged and made it happen.”

To get Arrow across into triple digits, the former Titan and Broncos will feature in the starting line-up and run out the field to take part in the opening kick-off.

Following that, he’ll be subbed off with the NRL and RLPA approving the one-off change to the rules.

“We went to the NRL and the RLPA first because it would require a rule change, so they had to be on board,” he explained.

“We went to them; they were really happy. The Titans and Roosters, similarly, were just so positive about the opportunity and then the broadcasters came on board as well.

“So, from around the game, the support, not unlike all the rest of the season, with Jai has been overwhelming, and we're very grateful for everyone who's helped make it happen.”

The Rabbitohs take on the Titans this Saturday at Cbus Super Stadium with Arrow’s 100th game for Souths and the last of his career to happen on September 4 against the old enemy in the Roosters.

SEN League will have live coverage of the match from Gold Coast at 12pm AEST across our radio network and on the SEN app with Crunch Time NRL. Kick-off takes place at 2pm.