Arrow sees future, not end of an era
JAI Arrow says an Origin debut in a Maroons outfit missing Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston would be different but could take nothing away from the dream he has been chasing since childhood.
Arguably the Titans’ best player this season, Arrow is short odds to make his Origin debut next month and says a Maroon jersey would be no less precious without big guns Smith, Thurston and Cooper Cronk in the team and with Queensland massive underdogs to win the series.
“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,” Arrow said.
“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 wearing Maroon has grown to such an extent he cannot ignore it and admits he is nervous 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 especially.”
Gold Coast product Arrow left Brisbane for the Titans in the off-season to seal a regular NRL place.
And he is following the path set by another former Bronco, Jarrod Wallace, in proving himself so well he could earn a representative call-up.
While he’s not getting ahead of himself, Boyd admits he probably wouldn’t have been in the Origin conversation without his move to the Titans.
“Probably not. That was half the reason I came down here, because I just didn’t know if I was going to be in the team one week up there or not in the team another week,” he said.
“That was solely why I came down here, it was to play consistent NRL and I’ve been lucky enough that Garth’s given me the opportunity and hopefully I’ve done my job.”
Telling Broncos coach Wayne Bennett he was going to leave gave him “butterflies” but the move has definitely paid off.
“I was very nervous and I didn’t know how to tell him.
“But once I told him he was totally fine. He said: ‘Look mate, I totally understand your decision, I want you to go down there and prove yourself and show everyone what you’re capable of’.”
Arrow has done that and more, and if he does win a Queensland jersey next month he will be determined to live up to its legacy.
“Speaking to people who’ve played, once they put that jersey on, it gives you super powers,” he said.
“I don’t think it will make any difference putting that jersey on but I guess in a way it will be different for Queensland not having the Cameron Smiths and Cooper Cronks and Johnathan Thurstons there.”