Arrow prepared for hot reception

SOUTH Sydney star Jai Arrow is preparing for the Titans to “take my head off” when he returns to the Gold Coast for the first time since his $3m move to the Rabbitohs.

Arrow (pictured) will make his first appearance against the Titans in Rabbitohs colours at Cbus Super Stadium on Friday night.

The Queensland Origin forward has been one of South Sydney’s best this season, helping the Rabbitohs notch up a five-game winning streak since losing their Round 1 clash to Melbourne.

In late 2019, the Titans refused to enter a bidding war for Arrow, leading the Gold Coast product to ink a four-year deal with Souths from this season.

Arrow was savaged by some Titans fans following his defection, but played out the 2020 season on the Coast before heading south.

Now he is expecting his former teammates to target him in his return to the Gold Coast.

“I have no doubts they will probably want to take my head off but that’s okay,” he said.

“They will be out for blood and I will be trying to do the same. I want to be smart about it. After the game we can shake hands.

“It gives me that little extra ‘oomph’ to get stuck in and play smart but aggressive. Once you cross that white line it’s different to what you’re like off the field. I will be up for the challenge. They’ll come after me and I’ll go after them.”

A product of Keebra Park on the Gold Coast, Arrow made his NRL debut for the Brisbane Broncos in 2016 before joining the Titans in 2018.

He became a Maroons representative during three years on the Coast and had dreams of captaining the club, but the Titans were not willing to match the huge offer from Souths. Arrow said he gave the Titans everything in 56 games and had no ill feelings.

“They put their offer in and I sat down with my partner and mentors to weigh up my options,” he said.

“There’s no bad blood. I’m still good mates with pretty much everyone at the club.”