Jai Arrow was joined for the touching tribute by his partner Berina and daughter Ayla after his heartbreaking MND diagnosis.

Jai Arrow broke down in tears as the NRL paid tribute to him before he rang the bell for the game between two of his former clubs, the Rabbitohs and Broncos.

The ex-South Sydney lock, 30, revealed last month he was retiring from the game due to health reasons after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Both clubs stepped out onto the field in special jerseys with Arrow’s name on — the Rabbitohs’ donning an all-white strip.

Jai Arrow broke down during the pre-game tribute (Picture: Twitter / @NRL)

The announcer inside the Accor Stadium then welcomed Arrow onto the pitch alongside his partner Berina and daughter Ayla.

Arrow was immediately overcome with emotion and fell into Berina’s arms after looking up to see the applause from the fans.

There were banners around the ground including those which read “Thank You Jai Arrow” and “Jai Keep On Fighting”.

He eventually composed himself and rang the bell, before both sets of players swarmed him with hugs and handshakes.

Arrow was joined on the pitch by partner Berina and daughter Ayla (Picture: Twitter / @NRL)

He also received the special jerseys from Rabbitohs and Broncos captains Adam Reynolds and Cody Walker — who are also his friends.

Commentator Peter Psaltis could be heard saying on the broadcast: “Hardly a dry eye in the house.”

Arrow was also honorarily named on the Rabbitohs’ bench in another touching gesture.

Ahead of the game, Arrow told Channel 9: “It’s very surreal.

“I never anticipated any of this and truly, from the bottom of my heart, this means the world to me. I didn’t think that many people liked me

“I’m just very grateful for my family and everyone that’s been a part of it.

“It is what it is. I’ve got a fight on my hands and I will fight.”

Over the weekend, Arrow issued an emotional plea for support as he launched a fundraiser to help his family.

“Like many families facing MND, we have been thrown into a world filled with uncertainty, difficult decisions and challenges that we never imagined we would face,” he said in an emotional video.

Following the brilliant tribute to Arrow, the Rabbitohs raced into an astonishing 30-0 lead at halftime against a dismal Broncos side.

And they continued after the break to claim a comprehensive 48-6 victory.