‘Time for me to grow up’: South Sydney’s unlikely duo dominating in the middle and pushing for Origin recalls

Keaon Koloamatangi has only played one game for the Blues, but a couple of dominant performances in the middle has him in the mix for a potential recall.

A pre-season health kick and an honest chat with Wayne Bennett have helped turn two of South Sydney’s most experienced players into a dynamic duo in the middle who have their eyes on taking down another couple of star props.

Keaon Koloamatangi has spoken extensively this year about his sacrifices over summer that helped him lose a stack of weight, while Jai Arrow was told by Bennett that it was time for him to grow up as a leader.

Both of them started the year well on the edge, with the pair playing the first seven games together in the back row.

But injuries and poor form around them forced Bennett’s hand, with Koloamatangi and Arrow both starting in the front row in each of their past two games, with the Rabbitohs picking up two crucial wins before their bye.

Keaon Koloamatangi has put up incredible numbers since moving to the middle. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Arrow has been as solid as ever, but Koloamatangi has been in career-best form with 50 runs, 462m and 83 tackles in wins over the Broncos and Wests Tigers.

To put that in perspective, he had only run for 100m in three of the first nine games of the season.

“I’ll leave that to other people (to say whether this is the best I’ve ever played) but I just try to do my job for the team,” he said.

“Whatever position I play, I just want to win the two points.

“Because of all the injuries, Wayne just said that he needed a bigger body up front. I’ve played middle my whole career, so it’s not unfamiliar for me.

“It was an easy transition, so I didn’t even have to think about it. I just did what Wayne wants because he’s the coach.

“I get pretty tired through it, but I had a big pre-season and I focused on my fitness and my body.

“I also focused on my mind, and my mind is in a really good space, so I know I can play 80 in any position. I get confidence from Wayne believing in me, and that allows me to play 80 minutes.”

Jai Arrow has stepped up as a leader after being challenged by Wayne Bennett. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Koloamatangi may still see himself as an edge forward, but his future lies in the middle where he’s set to partner Arrow, who has always played his best footy closer to the action.

Arrow, 29, is in his fifth season at the club and was told by Bennett at the start of the year that he had to step up with Tom Burgess moving on and skipper Cam Murray going down injured.

“When Wayne first came back, he put a bit of ownership on me and put me in the leadership group. He told me it was time for me to grow up,” he said.

“I’ve tried to realistically play my role and help out where I’ve needed to help out to lead by example for the young boys coming through.

“He said that a long time ago, but as I’m starting to get a bit older, I know that I’ve got to stand up and play my role for the team.

“I’ve had a bit more of a voice this year than I have in past years because we lost a fair few leaders in this side.”

Koloamatangi is in the mix to play Origin again this year. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

The pair have taken down Payne Haas, Patrick Carrigan, and Terrell May in recent weeks, with the South Sydney stars set to come up against Mitch Barnett and James Fisher-Harris on Sunday in another heavyweight bout.

“I think if you’re the starting front row in any team, you’ve got to take that role by the horns,” Koloamatangi said.

“Me and Jai aren’t the biggest front-row duo, but the main thing we can do is put in effort and do our job for the team.”

Another couple of big performances could earn Koloamatangi a State of Origin recall, although the competition’s in-form forward revealed he and NSW coach Laurie Daley hadn’t spoken.

“I didn’t hear from him,” he said.

“Obviously, I want to play, but that wasn’t on my mind.

“I didn’t have the best start to the year that I wish I could, but you never know what will happen. Everything happens for a reason. I’ll just keep playing well for the Bunnies and whatever happens, happens.”

Originally published as ‘Time for me to grow up’: South Sydney’s unlikely duo dominating in the middle and pushing for Origin recalls