Origin 2021: Queensland enforcer Jai Arrow admitted to hospital with infected arm on eve of Game Two
As if the hospitalisation of Dane Gagai in the lead up to Origin I wasn’t bad enough, Queensland are now holding their breath over the fate of another star player on the eve of Game Two.
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Key Queensland forward Jai Arrow has been taken to hospital in another turbulent build-up for the Maroons ahead of Origin II.
Arrow was mysteriously absent at Queensland’s media session at their headquarters on the Gold Coast on Tuesday, with Maroons hierarchy later confirming the back-rower was in hospital to treat an arm infection.
Arrow was initially prescribed oral antibiotics but after failing to respond, he was admitted to a Gold Coast hospital for a course of intravenous antibiotics.
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It is the latest saga to hit the Maroons, who suffered a disastrous preparation before their 50-6 loss in Origin when centre Dane Gagai spent three days in hospital to treat a severe bout of tonsilitis.
Arrow was admitted on Monday night and is expected to be released later on Tuesday, with Maroons medicos confident he will be fit to start in the back-row in Origin II at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday night.
“My arm was blown up like a balloon,” Arrow said.
“It’s definitely a lot better now.”
Team doctor Matt Hislop admitted Arrow to hospital to get “on top of it quickly”, with the South Sydney ironman expected to be cleared to train on Thursday.
Crash: Broncos’ Origin supply dries up after eight get away
The good news for Brisbane fans is that eight Broncos have been chosen in the Queensland State of Origin team.
The unfortunate news is that the lot of them are playing for other clubs.
For the first time in Origin history — outside the 1997 Super League season when none were available — no current Broncos have been chosen in the Queensland squad.
Xavier Coates was the sole current Bronco named in Origin I but lost his place because the selectors wanted experienced wingers (Valentine Holmes and Kyle Feldt) to support new fullback Reece Walsh.
Walsh started the year as a Bronco but headed to the Warriors after signing a three-year deal and then being released mid-season.
Dane Gagai was axed by the Broncos a decade ago for allegedly being undisciplined.
Hooker Andrew McCullough is still being paid by the club despite moving to the Dragons.
David Fifita joined the Titans this year after they splashed the cash with a $1.2 million a year deal.
Jai Arrow is at Souths after a stint at the Gold Coast after the Broncos substantial forward depth made him hard to keep while Frank Molo joined the Cowboys in 2018 after a turbulent period following the death of James Ackerman in a Molo tackle.
Ben Hunt grew from a boy to a man at the Broncos while Cam Munster and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui were part of the Broncos junior system.
An old football saying decrees “you cannot keep them all’’ but given Brisbane are on course for their second consecutive wooden spoon they could certainly have done with keeping some of them.
New football manager Ben Ikin will add star power and sophistication to Brisbane’s list management and part of his challenge will be to make players feel wanted.
Such as been the upheaval and poor form that insecurity is rampant among the Broncos playing ranks.
Meanwhile, Queensland captain Daly Cherry-Evans says Queensland must shut down NSW’s momentum in the middle if they are to contain his rampaging Manly teammate Tom Trbojevic.
“The way Tom plays the whole game plan suits the players in their side, they’re playing ad lib and it comes off the back of momentum,” Cherry-Evans said.
“There are ways we can stop that momentum, there are things we didn’t do in the first game that will help us in the second game.’’
NRL icon’s warning over Origin debate
Rugby league bosses are reportedly looking at changing State of Origin eligibility, but Wayne Bennett says one thing must happen for it to work.
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