NRL live updates: Rabbitohs vs Broncos, Jai Arrow celebrated after MND diagnosis — blog and scores

South Sydney has a fourth try.

Alex Johnston has a second try, off the back of the Antonio Verhoeven error.

Souths shift to the left. Cody Walker takes the ball to the defensive line, passes to centre Latrell Siegwalt and then Siegwalt tips on to Johnston for the try.

Siegwalt nails the conversion from the left touchline.

Rabbitohs 24

Broncos 0

South Sydney has another great chance to score.

Centre Antonio Verhoeven takes a run inside the Brisbane half of the field.

WHACK!

Liam Le Blanc comes off the bench and hits Verhoeven with the perfect tackle that forces a knock-on.

Souths could win the game right here.

Poor from the Brisbane Broncos.

The visitors were trying to run the ball from deep in their own end.

There is a dropped ball in a tackle. I could not see which Brisbane player spilled the footy, but it was a very loose carry.

A few tackles later, David Fifita charges onto a short pass from close range and scores.

Latrell Siegwalt kicks the goal.

Rabbitohs 18

Bronocs 0

Things are starting to unravel for the Brisbane Broncos.

The visitors enjoyed a nice set, where they were able to put up an attacking kick at the Souths’ goal-line.

The Broncos forced a goal-line dropout.

But from the dropout, Josiah Karapani and Grant Anderson looked at each other, the ball bounced and then went out for a South Sydney scrum.

South Sydney has scored on the very next set.

Fullback Jye Gray throws a big dummy, then runs between Brisbane defenders Adam Reynolds and Antonio Verhoeven.

Gray draws in the Brisbane fullback, and passes to his left winger Alex Johnston — the absolute best man you want in support.

Goodnight. Try Alex Johnston.

Rabbitohs 12

Broncos 0

South Sydney has the first try of the night.

Right winger Edward Kosi jumps in the air, outdueling opposing winger Josiah Karapani in the air to catch an Aston Ward kick, bobbles the footy, regathers and scores.

Latrell Siegwalt kicks the goal from near the right touchline.

Rabbitohs 6

Broncos 0

Brisbane halfback makes an intercept on his own 30-metre line.

Reynolds sprints as fast as he can. He was caught by Rabbitohs lock Lachlan Hubner.

The Broncos try to go from the right wing to the left, but the pass from dummy half was poor.

Souths are able to get back in defence.

Brisbane hooker Cory Paix goes for the line, but there is a knock-on.

The Brisbane Broncos have made a bright start.

The forwards are running with intent, while a nice looping pass from five-eighth Tom Duffy led to a nice line break by left winger Josiah Karapani.

But the Rabbitohs are defending well.

Referee Grant Atkins blows his whistle, and round 15 of the NRL is underway.

Brisbane will have the first use of the footy. The away team are running to the right of your screen.

The Broncos have an incident-free set, and Adam Reynolds kicks clear.

A lovely moment as the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Brisbane Broncos walk onto the field together.

Both teams form a guard of honour for Jai Arrow.

Arrow rings the Legacy Bell, a tradition at Rabbitohs home matches.

We have said it before on this blog, and I am sure I will write it again tonight — some things are bigger than footy.

Arrow is overcome with emotion, and no one can blame him.

This is a beautiful moment, as the crowd at Stadium Australia stand for him.

It is very hard not to get emotional.

I love rugby league.

You can follow the live blog and listen to the ABC Sport live call.

Tap the link below to listen to the call by Andrew Moore, Matthew Elliott and Micahel Carayannis on the sideline.

The rugby league community has thrown its support behind Jai Arrow in the wake of his MND diagnosis.

It is a disease that is well known across Australian sport, thanks to the late Neale Daniher.

The diagnosis for Arrow has brought the game together.

South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett is famous for short and sharp answers when doing interviews.

But when asked about the rugby league community on Fox League tonight, the Super Coach elaborated:

I’ve been in this game since I was a little boy and they never fail to amaze me, the fans, how they always get behind someone that’s having a tough time as Jai’s going to have, and his having.

I’m always proud of this game that I’ve been involved in all me life, and these people make me proud of how they can find time and give so much.

The outpouring has been wonderful.

Both teams come into tonight’s round 15 match on losing runs.

South Sydney have been defeated in their previous three matches:

• Round 11 vs Dolphins 32-10
• Round 12 vs Cowboys 30-18
• Round 14 vs Sea Eagles 28-14

But it is a much dire situation for the Broncos, the reigning premiers.

They have dropped their previous five matches, including losses in the previous two weeks to the winless Dragons, and two-win Titans.

• Round 9 vs Roosters 38-24
• Round 10 vs Sea Eagles 32-4
• Round 11 vs Warriors 42-12
• Round 13 vs Dragons 30-26
• Round 14 vs Titans 28-23

The Rabbits enter this round in eighth on the ladder, four points clear of the 12th-place Broncos.

One of these teams is going to walk away from tonight with a long losing run.

The special white jersey, worn by South Sydney tonight, has a wonderful meaning behind it.

Souths will wear a white jersey, with the name ARROW in green on the back.

The purpose is to ensure the only thing that can be noticed is ARROW, with the club letting Jai know the rugby league community has his back.

South Sydney hooker Brandon Smith has been speaking on Fox League, and says the players are proud to be playing in tonight’s special match.

It’s a great opportunity for us to really represent his outstanding career at Souths, Broncos and Gold Coast, and everywhere he played.

What a tenacious man he is, and just having him around the club … and being able to play in this special game is important to us.

Here is when kick-off in the clash between the Manly Sea Eagles and South Sydney Rabbitohs is in your state or territory:

• 7:50pm AEST: NSW, Queensland, ACT, Victoria, Tasmania, PNG
• 7:20pm ACST: South Australia, Northern Territory
• 5:20pm AWST: Western Australia
• 9:50pm NZST: New Zealand, Fiji
• 10:50pm: Tonga, Samoa

Rabbitohs

Jai Arrow is the number 23 for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Cam Murray is away on Origin duty, meaning Lachlan Hubner will start at lock.

An injury forces centre Campbell Graham out of the side. Tallis Duncan moves from second-row to centre, and Euan Aitken fills in the second-row spot.

Broncos

The Brisbane Broncos have made a late change.

Xavier Willison moves from starting lock to starting prop.

Jack Gosiewski, who was starting prop, goes to the bench.

Josh Rogers has been elevated from the bench to start at lock.

Kotoni Staggs, Payne Haas and Reece Walsh are all away on Origin duty.

They are being replaced in the starting side by Antonio Verhoeven, Willison and Hayze Perham.

Jordan Riki returns from injury and will play in the second row.

South Sydney will be wearing their traditional red and green — cardinal and myrtle to be specific.

Tonight, the team will be in a special ‘whiteout’ jersey for Jai Arrow.

The Broncos will also be honouring Jai in their jersey, with his name and his number 222.

Jai Arrow is also officially listed as a reserve for the Bunnies tonight in the number 23.

Good evening, Australia.

Welcome to ABC Sport’s live digital coverage of the 2026 NRL premiership season.

Tonight, the South Sydney Rabbitohs host the Brisbane Broncos at Stadium Australia.

But tonight, the focus is on something much greater than footy.

Jai Arrow, who was forced into retirement following his Motor neurone disease (MND) diagnosis, is being celebrated tonight.

Arrow played for both clubs during his wonderful career, and tonight is about him.

Join us throughout the evening as we bring you all the action,

Be part of the conversation and let us know your thoughts on all things footy in the comment section.