JAI ‘EXCITED’ ABOUT NEW HOME, JUST LIKE HIS MUM
GOLD Coast Titans forward Jai Arrow insists he has no regrets about leaving the rising club after honouring his cancer-surviving mother with a life-changing gift.
Arrow will make his 56th and final appearance for the Titans on Friday against Newcastle at Cbus Super Stadium before he moves to South Sydney.
Arrow signed a four-year deal worth $3.2m with the Rabbitohs last Christmas Eve after the Titans opted not to enter a bidding war for the Queensland Origin star.
The Titans and Rabbitohs could not reach an agreement for Arrow to head south immediately, which meant he played out the final season of his contract with the Gold Coast this year.
After a poor start to the year, the Titans have won seven of their past 13 games to rocket into ninth spot on the ladder, proving the future is bright on the Gold Coast under coach Justin Holbrook.
Arrow and captain Ryan James (Canberra) will be replaced by star signings David Fifita (Broncos) and Tino Fa’aasuamaleaui (Storm) next year.
Arrow, 25, has battled rib, shoulder and back injuries this year but will make his 18th appearance of the 20-round season against the Knights when he comes off the bench.
While there was an element of sadness about departing the Titans, Arrow said he couldn’t wait to get out of his comfort zone at Souths.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet, I haven’t thought about it much. It feels a bit weird that it’s all coming to an end,” he said. “I’ll get to have a couple of beers with the boys after the game and say thank you.
“We’re in the bubble for another week after the game before we are allowed to head out and about and do normal things.
“I can’t wait (to join Souths), I am really excited.
“It will be a good change for me. It’ll be the best thing for me to get out of my comfort zone.
“There are no regrets. I made the decision a while ago and I’m sticking with it.
“The Titans will have a place in my heart, it’s my hometown and the club is going to be great. What Justin and the two Jimmys (Dymock and Lenihan, assistant coaches) have done has been outstanding.
“With the players they’ve got coming, they will definitely be in the top eight. I hope they do well. I want to see the Gold Coast do well.
“Everyone at the club is great. I can’t thank them enough for everything.”
Arrow started the season in sensational touch but the back end of his campaign has been hampered by injuries and Holbrook’s decision to look to the future by starting Tyrone Peachey at lock.
He is determined to end the season on a high by helping the resurgent Titans equal a club-record five straight wins and will run out with a freshly shaved head.
Arrow cut off his mullet on Monday after raising close to $4000 for the Leukaemia Foundation’s Shave For A Cure. His mother, Nicole Manson, battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma 11 years ago and Arrow had always wanted to honour her.
Now an established NRL player and about to cash in with the biggest pay cheque of his career, Arrow said he had achieved a long-held goal.
“I saw what she went through, she really struggled and was very sick,” he said.
“I have always wanted to do something around charity, especially cancer. There are so many people sick with it and it’s not nice to see someone go through it.
“The mullet was for fun at the start, then someone asked me if it was for charity. It all worked out perfect and I’ve been able to raise some money for a great cause. I’ve bought a house for Mum so she can live in it when I go to Sydney.”