Jai Arrow powers into Queensland State of Origin team

HE has only played 22 NRL games but Maroons coach Kevin Walters will blood workhorse lock Jai Arrow off the bench as part of his Queensland State of Origin overhaul.

Jai Arrow has been sensational for the Titans this season.

MATT Scott’s Maroons snubbing has opened the door for Gold Coast Titans dynamo Jai Arrow to be catapulted into a Queensland Origin debut.

The Courier-Mail can reveal Arrow will be thrust into the State of Origin furnace in Wednesday week’s series opener at the MCG.

Maroons coach Kevin Walters will blood the workhorse lock off the bench following a sensational start to the season.

Arrow has been one of the NRL’s form forwards in his first season at the Titans, averaging 142m and 27 tackles a game despite carrying painful rib, shoulder and back injuries.

The 22-year-old Arrow weighs only 99kg but has taken on the NRL’s biggest forwards without fear and has been rewarded with an Origin debut.

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Jai Arrow is set to make his State of Origin debut for Queensland.

Arrow has only played 35 NRL games, but Walters has shaken up the Maroons by overlooking 22-Origin veteran Scott and will inject new blood.

Arrow said playing for Queensland was a lifelong dream.

“It would mean everything,” he said.

“I never even thought about Origin until my name was thrown out there.

“It would be a dream come true. It’s the pinnacle in rugby league.

“If I get that opportunity I will take it with both hands and hopefully do a good job.”

After coming through Brisbane’s junior grades and making his NRL debut for the Broncos in 2016, Arrow was poached by former Titans coach Neil Henry last year.

Jai Arrow has been sensational for the Titans this season.

Henry was sacked late last season and never got the chance to coach Arrow, who has been the Gold Coast’s best player in the opening 12 rounds of the season.

“I think Jai Arrow deserves to be picked,” Titans coach Garth Brennan said.

“I have my fingers crossed but he has been outstanding this year and if he does get the nod, I know he wouldn’t let Queensland down.

“His game is perfectly suited to Origin. He is a real warrior and other players love playing with him.

“He’s the guy you want beside you in the trenches.”

Arrow sustained a shoulder injury in the Gold Coast’s loss to the Roosters on Saturday but is expected to be passed fit for Origin I.