Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
The Dayne Jennings injury cast a shadow over South Sydney Rabbitohs’ 26-24 NRL victory against Newcastle Knights on Sunday, July 12, at Accor Stadium. The win kept South Sydney Rabbitohs inside the top eight while marking Jai Arrow’s 31st birthday.
Dayne Jennings suffered a deep cut stretching from the side of his quadriceps to below his knee. South Sydney Rabbitohs also lost Jayden Sullivan to concussion, while Euan Aitken underwent an ECG after struggling to breathe.
Elsewhere in the NRL, Brisbane Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy confirmed the Michael Maguire Broncos coach role is safe for 2027.
A crowd of 30,113 attended the birthday celebration for Jai Arrow, who retired in May following a motor neurone disease diagnosis. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese watched as the former South Sydney Rabbitohs forward cut a giant cake at halftime.
“We know how much (Arrow) means to us, and all the boys know how much he’s given to all of us in that change room,” captain Cameron Murray said.
South Sydney Rabbitohs built a 26-6 lead through Matt Dufty’s sharp passing and tries involving Campbell Graham, David Fifita and Tallis Duncan. The official NRL match centre recorded the two-point result.
Newcastle Knights then scored three tries in the final 12 minutes as Kalyn Ponga drove their comeback. The pressure peaked in the final minute, but his cut-out pass missed Dominic Young and rolled into touch.
“We’ve just got to play a lot smarter than what we’re playing at the moment,” Newcastle Knights coach Justin Holbrook said.
