Rabbitohs’ firearm South Sydney loses to Cronulla despite Jai Arrow’s ‘terrible’ injury.
The Rabbitohs endured a loss on Saturday night that could cost them a finals spot, and the disappointment was exacerbated by a horrific injury to Jai Arrow.
Arrow was carried off the field in the 53rd minute of a game won by the Sharks 26-16 in Perth, and he did not return after coming from a tackle grasping at his back.
He was crying and taking in long breaths as two medics assisted him out of the pasture.
The Rabbitohs, who barely fired a shot in the opening hour, scored three tries in a row after losing the Queensland State of Origin forward, but the Sharks hung on to snap a three-match losing streak.
While Cronulla climbed to fifth on the ladder, South Sydney slipped to eighth and now awaits a nervy final four regular-season games.
Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou said Arrow had suffered back spasms, but the South Sydney mentor played down the seriousness of the injury.
“I don’t think it’s anything major. He’s had a tough week, Jai, in his prep. (He’s) coming back from that syndesmosis injury, as well. I think his back seized up but (it) shouldn’t be too serious,” Demetriou said.
“A long flight won’t help his recovery, but the medical team will get into him and we’ll evaluate it next week.” It’s too soon to tell (if he’ll play next week).”
Andrew Johns and Brad Fittler grimaced as post-game footage of Arrow injuring his back played.
“Jai Arrow, that back, that did not look good,” Johns said after the game on Nine.
“We just saw him out there shaking hands after the game, but the reaction here… That is a disc and nerve damage, and it’s going down his legs, and when you get that… You could see how much pain he was in.” It’s dreadful.”
Fittler, a co-commentator on Nine, said Arrow had experienced “one of the worst feelings.”
“You feel like your whole back is going to snap,” the NSW Blues coach added.
Sione Katoa produced one of the best highlights of his career when he torched Latrell Mitchell with a deadly right-foot stride and raced away to score as Cronulla jumped out to a 20-0 lead within the first hour of the game.
The Rabbitohs unleashed their electrifying offensive footy late in the game, scoring three tries in roughly 10 minutes, but they failed to win their second match in a row after defeating the Wests Tigers last week.
South Sydney’s comeback quest was hampered by Thomas Burgess’ sin-bin, who was marched off the field for a high shot on Thomas Hazleton.
