‘White Out’: Cameron Murray vows to take inspiration from Jai Arrow as Rabbitohs reveal tribute jerseys

It comes as Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray prepares to draw on the fighting spirit of his long-time teammate in the lead-up to next week’s State of Origin game at the MCG.

Murray will break from Blues camp for the Rabbitohs-Broncos clash at Accor Stadium where Arrow’s career will be celebrated by two of his former clubs with Souths to wear a ‘whiteout’ jersey in his honour.

He will then return to Blues camp with Arrow at the forefront of his thoughts as the Blues bid to wrap up the Origin series in Melbourne next week.

Asked whether he could draw any inspiration from Arrow’s fight against motor neurone disease, Murray said: “In my own way I can but I probably won’t be vocal about it because I’m not sure how the outside world will take it.

“Me knowing Jai personally, me knowing what he stands for and me knowing who the player he is and the person he is when he crossed that white line - and experiencing moments on the field with him and the memories that I’ve had with him on the field - in my own way I can definitely take some inspiration from him and the impact he’s had on my career without a doubt.

“I know it doesn’t really make sense in the Origin arena but for sure, I’ll take a little bit of inspiration.”

The Rabbitohs have named Arrow in the No.23 jersey for Thursday night’s game and he will walk out to a guard of honour from both sides before ringing the legacy bell.

The ode Souths have written to Arrow helps explain the decision to wear the whiteout jerseys.

“Stripped back. Past the colour. Past the noise. As far as it goes,” it says.

“One name left on the back of the jersey. The man who earned it. The same strength he has always played with, he carries now.

“We carry it with him. We’ve got your back, Arrow.”

Murray praised the game for having Arrow’s back in his time of need.

“Like I said before, it’s really awesome to see everyone get around him and I can’t thank the NRL community enough for what they’ve done for him so far,” Murray said.

“I just encourage everyone to keep getting around him, keep supporting him and do everything they can to ease the journey that he’s on at the moment.”

It was Wayne Bennett who unveiled the tribute jersey after Classic Sportswear was tasked with making the jumper on short notice, with club CEO Blake Solly hammering home how important the message is on the playing strip.

“We felt it was appropriate to strip everything back for this game from our jersey, no distractions for the eye, all focus on the only colour on the jersey, which is the name ARROW in green on the back of all of our players,” Solly said.

“Jai has earned everyone’s respect at our club; at every club at which he has played including our opponents this week, the Broncos; and indeed everyone across the game and, increasingly, in all walks of life.

“He always played with passion, with heart, and a deep care for his teammates and his club.

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“It’s now our turn to return that passion, heart and care to him in his fight against MND. Sponsors agreed to have their logos whited-out for the Rabbitohs’ one-off playing kit.

“I think they felt pretty proud about it all,” Bennett said.

“It’s been wonderful the support he’s received. There’s a few more things to come and I think we have got a pretty good balance with it and how we’re going to do it.”

Originally published as ‘White Out’: Cameron Murray vows to take inspiration from Jai Arrow as Rabbitohs reveal tribute jerseys