Talk of Origin playing on Arrow’s mind
JAI Arrow says an Origin debut in a Queensland team missing Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston would be different but would take nothing away from the dream he has been chasing since childhood.
Arguably the Titans’ best player this season, Arrow is short odds to be named to make his Origin debut next month and said a Maroons jersey would be no less precious without big guns Smith, Thurston and Cooper Cronk in the team.
“It is different. They’ve been there for many years and they’ve been so successful and in a way it is a bit daunting for Queensland with those superstars not there,” he said yesterday.
“It was a bit of a shock when Cameron Smith announced his retirement but I’m sure whoever they put there will do the job. That’s just been the way for Queensland over the past decade – anyone they’ve put there has got the job done.”
Talk about Arrow playing for Queensland has grown to such an extent he cannot ignore it and admits to nervousness ahead of Kevin Walters naming his squad for the series-opener.
“It’s something I didn’t really think about at the start of the year, but now my name’s been thrown around I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried about it or thinking about it,” he said.
“I just try and not get ahead of myself. I’m trying to just do a good job for the team and enjoy myself and enjoy my footy and everything plays off the back of that.”
A former Bronco, Gold Coast product Arrow left Brisbane for the Titans in the off-season to seal a regular NRL place.
While he’s not getting ahead of himself, he admits he probably wouldn’t have been in the Origin conversation without his move to the Titans.
Meanwhile, the Titans have confirmed the signing of Raiders forward Shannon Boyd for four seasons from next year.
Gold Coast had been chasing the Canberra big man and was able to nab him on a long-term deal despite re-signing Origin prop Jarrod Wallace earlier this week.
Coach Garth Brennan believes Boyd will fit in well at the Titans.
“Shannon has impressed me throughout the process and I believe he is a great acquisition for the club,” Brennan said.
“He is an imposing figure that will bring some much-needed size to our pack. He has played 100 NRL games and has represented his country so he brings with him a fair amount of experience that will help a number of our young guys.