Jai’s a shot at Origin

QUEENSLAND coach Kevin Walters insists Jai Arrow’s limited NRL experience will not count against him when Maroons selectors sit down to formulate a squad to win the 2018 State of Origin series.

Arrow has just 27 first grade games to his name but is firmly putting his hand up for higher honours after excelling in the early rounds of this season.

The Keebra Park product’s path has been likened to Jarrod Wallace, having switched from the Broncos back to his hometown team in search of more opportunities.

Wallace made the move last year and months later was debuting for Queensland.

Arrow started only three of his 24 Broncos games but in three Titans starts has amassed big numbers, averaging 25 tackles and 149 running metres to be hailed by Garth Brennan as “our standout this year”.

The 22-year-old was selected in the 2018 Emerging Origin squad and has history with Walters from time spent together at the Broncos.

“He has been impressive and we are certainly aware from a Queensland point of view of Jai’s talents,” said Fox League commentator Walters.

“He is a very strong-willed young fella and I think he has got some good ideas on where he wants to go and how he wants to get there.”

Walters rejected protecting Arrow from the brutal Origin arena until he has more games under his belt, indicating he will be selected if considered good enough. “No, we don’t look at games,” he said. “We just look at the consistency of their football and what sort of impact they are having at their club. Jai is doing everything right in that regard.”

Such is Arrow’s form that in a reshuffled pack he has won the No.13 jersey and forced high-profile recruit Bryce Cartwright back to the bench.

Round 4 tomorrow will be his next stern test against his former club, with enforcer Josh McGuire to line up opposite him for Brisbane.

The Titans entered the round in 14th on the ladder, seven places below their southeast Queensland rival.

The match will be broadcast live and exclusive at 6:30pm with no ad breaks during play and in high-definition on Fox League 502.