NRL 2021: Jai Arrow reveals why he left idyllic Gold Coast for working class Redfern

Why would you leave your beach paradise for working-class Redfern? Jai Arrow opens up on why joining South Sydney was an offer he couldn’t refuse.

Buzz Sunday tele dogs story Gold Coast Titans NRL star Jai Arrow, model girlfriend Taylah Cannon and their dogs. Supplied 20/11/19

This is the star footy player who sacrificed beach paradise for working-class Redfern – just to escape his comfort zone.

South Sydney forward Jai Arrow has revealed why he quit Gold Coast Titans – and its idyllic lifestyle – for the traffic snarls and rat race of Sydney.

It’s a move Arrow – who now resides in Maroubra – is savouring with partner, Taylah Cannon, who arrived in Sydney during late January, and their two dogs, Thor and Koda.

Watch Live & On-Demand coverage of NRL pre-season trial matches on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial now & start streaming instantly >

“I never thought I’d leave the Gold Coast but here I am now,” Arrow said.

“People talk about Sydney and that the traffic is crap but I’m loving it down here. It’s different for me.

“I’m in Maroubra which is nice and close to the beach, which isn’t too foreign being a coast kid. I needed to get out of my comfortable zone.

“I did live in Brisbane — not for too long — but I have spent the majority of my life on the Gold Coast. I’m loving it down here in the big city and the big smoke. I’m really glad I made the move.

“The only thing I was worried about was everyone saying how much traffic, how annoying it would be and how going seven or eight kilometres down the road can take you 20 minutes.

“But I’m not too worried, that’s not going to worry me if I’m going somewhere nice. I’m getting to know the place and I’m getting used to it. I wouldn’t say I have been stuck in horrendous traffic but I find everyone is moving so slow.

“We found a nice little place for my two big dogs, which was a bit stressful coming down because I didn’t know if I was going to find a place. My partner summed it up in a pretty good way. She said it’s like we’re on holiday at the moment, trying to get to know all the new places. I’m sure that will change in the next 12 months.

South Sydney’s Jai Arrow is relishing his move south. Picture: Toby Zerna.

“We made our way up the coast – Little Bay, La Perouse, Coogee, Bondi, Bronte – we have done all those walks.

“I’m not far from training, I’m too far from the beach. We’ve got our good little set up in Maroubra. I’m enjoying that and I will stay there as long as I can.”

Happy off the field, Arrow has settled nicely into his on-field role Redfern.

He was part of Souths’ Charity Shield win over St George Illawarra on Saturday night and is ready for the club’s round one season-opener against Melbourne.

“I’m a big believer that if you’re happy in life and then that shows in your footy. Thank God that is the case at the moment,” he said.

“You also have to take in consideration that things aren’t always going to go the right way. With the right mindset – no matter what hurdles are put in front of them – I will continue to try and play good footy.”

Jai Arrow and partner Taylah Cannon have moved to Maroubra. Picture: Lawrence Pinder

Arrow and Taylah adore Thor, an American staffy, and Koda, a rottweiler.

“I loved the movie Thor so I named him after that,” Arrow said. “I have two big dogs but she’s not a big rottie.

“Taylah is also loving it down here. I’ve been trying to get her out. I took her for a game of golf the other day, it was her first time playing on an actual course. She enjoyed that.”

Arrow developed into an elite player while at Gold Coast but felt a need to move to a giant NRL club in Sydney.

“No disrespect to the Gold Coast, but looking at the squad here, and the coaches, I did want to test myself,” he said. “I wanted to come to such a proud club like the Rabbitohs, a club which has so much history and it all worked out. It’s funny things pan out with Sam (Burgess) retiring.

“I got a call from Jason (Demetriou, 2022 coach) and Wayne (Bennett, 2021 coach) as well. I never thought I’d leave the Gold Cost but here I am now.”