Jai Arrow says he’s ready to uphold Shane Webcke’s legacy in his front-row debut

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.

Maroons player Jai Arrow poses for a photo during a Queensland Maroons media opportunity at Sanctuary Cove resort on the Gold Coast, July 4, 2018. (AAP Image/Jono Searle) NO ARCHIVING

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 props in Origin history when the 100kg workhorse, traditionally a lock, makes his Maroons starting debut in the engine room this 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.

LISTEN! Nick Campion and Tim Williams hash out all the details of Origin III, ask who has the most to gain from the dead rubber and wonder if Penrith’s season is on the ropes.

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Arrow was just two years old when Broncos legend Webcke wore the Queensland No. 8 jumper for the first time in 1998 before carving out a magnificent 21-game Origin career as the greatest prop of his era.

NSW’s pack will almost certainly attempt to dominate Arrow in the midfield war of attrition, but the Titans ironman vowed to uphold Webcke’s legacy and punch above his weight.

“I’m ready to go,” said Arrow, who celebrates his 23rd birthday 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.

Arrow will make his first Origin start in Game III. Picture by Adam Head.

“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.

“They say it’s a lot harder to be starting than coming off the bench in Origin so I can’t wait. I don’t want to let Queensland down.”

In a losing series, Arrow has been one of the shining lights of the Queensland campaign, producing a superb defensive display off the bench in the Maroons’ 18-14 loss in Origin II at ANZ Stadium.

Can Arrow lead the way for Queensland.

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.

“Origin was everything I’ve expected,” he said.

“It is faster and a lot more physical and I’ve got a lot of experience out of Games One and Two.

“The pace just doesn’t stop. 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 80-minute game in the NRL.

“When people say Origin is a different ball game, it definitely is.

“I’m still pinching myself every day that I have the opportunity to pull on that Maroon jersey for a third time and I’m enjoying the ride.”

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Originally published as Jai Arrow says he’s ready to uphold Shane Webcke’s legacy in his front-row debut