Arrow vows to do jersey proud
JAI Arrow says the honour of donning the decorated No.8 Queensland jumper worn by front-row icon Shane Webcke will ensure he is not monstered by the Blues in Origin III.
The tough-as-nails Arrow will become one of the smallest Origin props when the 100kg workhorse, traditionally a lock, makes his Maroons starting debut in the engine room on Wednesday night at Suncorp Stadium.
In the space of two Origin matches, Arrow has gone from an interchange debutant to the front-row spearhead of the Queensland pack.
Arrow was just two when Broncos legend Webcke wore the Queensland No.8 jumper for the first time in 1998, before carving out a magnificent 21game Origin career as the greatest prop of his era.
NSW’s pack will almost certainly attempt to dominate Arrow, but the Titans ironman vowed to uphold Webcke’s legacy and punch above his weight.
“I’m ready to go,” said Arrow, who turns 23 the day after Origin III.
“It’s a massive occasion for me. Shane Webcke was a great of rugby league and knowing that he has put on that Queensland No.8 jersey, I want to put in a great performance.
“To be honest, I didn’t think I’d play one game of NRL, so to pull on that No.8 jersey is weird, but very exciting for myself.
“That will be up to NSW (if they target Arrow), but I love a challenge and I’m looking forward to the challenge, especially starting.”
Unable to regularly crack the Broncos’ NRL squad just 12 months ago, Arrow has still only played 38 first-grade games and admits the speed of Origin football has tested him.
“It is faster and a lot more physical and I’ve got a lot of experience out of Games One and Two,” he said.
“It has taken a toll on my body. I have played just under 30 minutes of both games, but it feels like I have played an 80minute game in the NRL.”