Jai Arrow injury scare rocks Gold Coast Titans ahead of Manly clash

Maroons hopeful Jai Arrow sent a scare through Queensland after he went down with a leg injury at training on Thursday but the hardworking lock should be fit for Origin I.

Titans star Jai Arrow. Picture: AAP

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Titans warhorse Jai Arrow is confident he will overcome a freak training mishap to play in Origin I in a major boost for Queensland coach Kevin Walters.

Arrow has contacted Walters to advise he is available for selection for Game One against NSW at Suncorp Stadium on Wednesday week despite his shock breakdown at Titans training today.

The Gold Coast forward is expected to miss Friday’s clash against Manly at Lottoland Stadium, but the hip flexor injury is not expected to prevent Arrow playing in Origin I.

Arrow is a certainty for Origin selection. Picture by Peter Wallis.

The Queensland team for Game One is named on Monday and Arrow’s setback is a litmus test for the selection philosophy of Walters, who has said he will not pick players who cannot train early in Camp Maroon preparations.

Arrow was considered a selection certainty for the Maroons after his superb maiden campaign last year in which he went from Origin debutant to Queensland starting front-rower in the space of three games.

The Maroons ace is awaiting results of scans but is adamant the injury is not serious.

“I had a bit of a scare, I’m waiting to see what the doctors and physios say,” he said.

“It’s more in my quad and hip flexor region. Whether it’s a strain or a twinge I’m not too sure.

“If I get picked for Origin, I reckon I will be sweet. I will do everything possible to make myself right to play, that’s for sure.”

Arrow said he was stunned by his training setback.

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“I really didn’t do too much,” he said. “I was running pretty relaxed and just pulled up, felt it twinge and that was it.

“I’ve had no issues with my body at all this season, this is the first thing that has worried me.

“There’s still a chance I could play against Manly, but if it’s too risky I won’t play.”

It is believed Arrow has suffered a similar injury to that of Titans teammate Dale Copley, who missed only one week after injuring his hip flexor in round seven against the Wests Tigers.

Should Arrow be sidelined for seven days, he would be available to train with the Maroons next Thursday, giving him six days to be ready to face the Blues at Suncorp.

Such is Arrow’s importance to the Maroons’ forward rotation with his energy and workrate, Walters is likely to give the Titans ironman every chance to prove his fitness.

Queensland can ill-afford to lose the hardworking Arrow. Picture by Adam Head.

The Titans and Maroons received a scare when Arrow was taken away from training in the back of a club van with a team doctor on board after clutching his upper leg.

It capped a turbulent build-up for the besieged Titans, who face Manly tonight rocked by the Gold Coast board ordering culture boss Mal Meninga to undertake a full investigation of the club’s operations.

The probe could ultimately lead to the sacking of Garth Brennan, but the underfire coach says his immediate worry is not his own future, but improving the Titans’ dismal 2-8 record - their worst-ever start to a season.

“It’s the nature of the job, coaching is a results-driven business,” he said.

“This is the business I’ve chosen to go into and we have to perform.

“I don’t lie awake worrying about my tenure and my job, I worry about how this team plays good footy.

“I lie awake at night, but it’s about how to get this team winning.”

Originally published as Jai Arrow injury scare rocks Gold Coast Titans ahead of Manly clash