Jai Arrow will attempt to negotiate release from Gold Coast so he can join Souths immediately
With his future beyond 2021 sorted after Souths trumped Gold Coast’s contract, Jai Arrow will now seek an immediate release so he can join Wayne Bennett’s side next season.
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Queensland Origin star Jai Arrow will seek an immediate release from the Gold Coast Titans as South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett revealed his plans for Sam Burgess’ replacement.
As exclusively revealed by News Corp Australia on Tuesday, Arrow has agreed to terms on a $3.2 million four-year deal with the Rabbitohs from 2021 which will see him replace retired English superstar Burgess.
Arrow has informed the Titans he would not be accepting a three-year contract extension.
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The Rabbitohs trumped the Titans with a deal worth about $100,000-a-season more than the Gold Coast’s offer as well as an extra season in 2024. Wests Tigers made a huge play for Arrow.
Arrow, 24, is contracted to the Titans until the end of next season, but his management will attempt to negotiate a release so he can join South Sydney immediately.
Bennett is a huge fan of Arrow, having given him his NRL debut at the Brisbane Broncos in 2016, and said he was the ideal player to replace Burgess.
“I am very pleased,” Bennett said.
“You can never be certain you will get someone but we put forward a good offer to Jai and were always hopeful he would sign.
“He is just the type of player we need. I like his work ethic and the value he brings to a club as a person off the field as well.
“I coached Jai at the Broncos and there was never a question about his character. I see him playing in the middle for us, he is suited to the centre of the field.”
Titans executive chairman Dennis Watt has previously claimed the club would not consider releasing Arrow if he signed with a rival franchise from 2021.
However, the NRL player market is constantly moving and the Titans could be convinced of letting arguably their best player go if they can snare a suitable replacement.
The Rabbitohs are open to move on either Dane Gagai or Alex Johnston to accommodate the possible arrival of disgruntled Roosters star Latrell Mitchell.
A hard-working middle forward, Arrow is a much different player to backline speedsters Gagai and Johnston.
The Titans must decide whether to hang on to Arrow even though he is headed elsewhere in 2021 or look to replace him immediately and move on.
The Titans have signed rising Melbourne forward Tino Fa’asuamaleaui from 2021 and are keen to get him to the Gold Coast earlier.
If the Storm release Fa’asuamaleaui that would open the door for Arrow to move to Souths immediately.
Titans recruitment chief Mal Meninga has shown interest in Mitchell, but no formal approach was made. That could change now given Arrow’s future has been sorted.
The loss of Arrow is a crushing blow to the Titans after the club collected the 2019 wooden spoon.
New coach Justin Holbrook would have been banking on Arrow for at least the upcoming season and was keen to have him long-term.
But Meninga and the club’s powerbrokers refused to engage in a bidding war for Arrow and were blown out of the water by South Sydney.
Originally published as Jai Arrow will attempt to negotiate release from Gold Coast so he can join Souths immediately