THE National Rugby League will honour retired South Sydney player Jai Arrow as part of the grand final pre-match entertainment, featuring the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone” as he completes a lap of the field.
A week after stating the NRL showpiece at Accor Stadium on Sunday night didn’t need a headline act following a fall-out with artist Tones and I, NRL boss Peter V’landys confirmed to AAP there will now be a musical tribute involving Arrow.
The Rabbitohs favourite was forced into immediate retirement in May after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).
Since then, the game and wider sporting community has continued to honour the 31-year-old.
The song made famous by Gerry and the Pacemakers with a cover in the 1960s, and adopted by Liverpool FC as its official motto, has featured heavily across the tributes.
A group of Australian musicians will sing it from 7.05pm (AEDT), with the set lasting 11 minutes, before kick-off at 7.30pm.
V’landys’ backflip followed public backlash over the decision to go without any musical entertainment, with the wowing performance by Kylie Minogue at the AFL grand final fuelling the criticism.
The NRL boss insisted last week it was not an issue that the rugby league decider would go without, comparing the pre-match entertainment to a pickle in a burger.
He instead pledged to spend $1 million on grassroots rugby league.
However V’Landys then changed his mind and teased the entertainment on Monday.
“I’ve got to tell you it’ll be the highest-rating 11 minutes you will ever see, because no one knows what it is and we won’t tell until the night,” the newly-elevated executive chairman told reporters.
“And a lot of people will be surprised.
“There will be something, but I am not saying what it is. Stay tuned.”
By Melissa WOODS and Scott BAILEY, AAP
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