ARROW AIMS FOR ORIGIN
LOCKED IN FOR QLD
GOLD Coast dynamo Jai Arrow is Origin-bound after Maroons coach Kevin Walters declared he was prepared to blood the tearaway as Josh McGuire’s replacement.
Broncos lock McGuire was facing at least four to six weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury that would likely see him miss Origin I at the MCG on June 6.
McGuire, an eight-game Maroons regular, was awaiting a specialist’s opinion this week, however Walters was resigned to being without his No.13 for the series opener.
The Maroons will already be missing Test backrower Matt Gillett (neck) for the series while Melbourne Storm prop Tim Glasby (broken thumb) is also in doubt.
The silver lining to Queensland’s woes has been the emergence of 22-year-old Titans lock Arrow.
The former Broncos continued his sensational form by claiming the Anzac Medal in Gold Coast’s 10-9 home loss to Cronulla on Saturday.
Arrow charged for 179m, made 29 tackles without missing one and registered two line breaks against the Sharks despite battling painful back spasms.
His NRL career is 32 games old but Arrow said he was ready for Origin.
“I love challenges and I’d love a crack at State of Origin,” Arrow said.
“You want challenges and I want the biggest challenges.
‘‘Origin is the pinnacle of rugby league, everyone wants to play it and I’m no different.
“I’m pinching myself at the thought of it, but I would love the opportunity and if Kevvie picks me this year, I will take it with both hands and enjoy the ride. I watched Origin every year as a kid.
‘‘I loved Gorden Tallis and his aggression.
‘‘He got stuck in and that’s what I like to do.
“He was my hero and it would be a dream come true if Kevvie thought I was up to the task.”
Arrow has relished his starting role at the Titans after being anchored to a bench spot for most of his 24 games at the Broncos.
Arrow would be best suited to a starting berth rather than bench impact role and Walters confirmed he was viewing him as McGuire’s replacement in the No. 13 jersey.
“His form for the Titans has shown he is up for any sort of challenge thrown at him,” Walters said.
“From what we’ve seen in club-land he is handling everything thrown at him.
“The game is still a month away but right now you would have to say he is in great touch and doing some great things.
“If he continues on the path he’s on and playing the footy he is, that normally gets you honours at another level.”