‘You are absolutely f**king kidding yourselves’: Jai Arrow reveals physical toll of injury ahead of surgery

Jai Arrow could receive the perfect birthday present next week with the club booking him in for surgery. But there’s a chance he’ll hold out a little longer.

Most NRL players would settle for a nice steak and a bottle of red on their birthday, but South Sydney star Jai Arrow is hoping he gets a new shoulder next week, with the clash against the Dolphins to determine whether he finally gets the season-ending surgery that everyone’s been asking him about this year.

Arrow has joined some of South Sydney’s greats when it comes to playing through pain, with the edge forward dealing with a serious shoulder injury ever since the game in Las Vegas.

The club has booked him in for surgery on his birthday next Friday to fix his busted shoulder, but there could be a late twist if Souths beat the Dolphins, with the Bunnies on a five-game winning streak and closing in on a finals berth after their horror start to the season that led to the sacking of coach Jason Demetriou.

Jai Arrow hurt his shoulder during the game in Las Vegas. Picture: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

“The club has booked me in for next Friday on my birthday. We just haven’t had the luxury to be able to get it earlier. The only reason being is because we have had so many injuries,” he said.

“I will be doing everything possible to get those two points and put my body on the line because realistically I’ve got nothing to lose any more, so I’ll go out there and throw my body around as best as possible and put my body on the line for the boys to get those two points.

“Then the club will reassess and maybe I’ll play on.”

It’s remarkable that Arrow’s been able to play on at all this season after he was hurt in Vegas that led to fears he could miss all of 2024, only for the former Origin representative to return in round 8.

You could tell he was still in pain, which is why Arrow went to club physios the following week after the Penrith game and let loose.

Arrow was in immense pain after the Panthers clash. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“After the Penrith game, I walked into the physio room and I said to the physios, ‘You are absolutely f**king kidding yourselves if you think I’ll play the year out from hereon in’,” he recalled.

“As time has gone on, I’ve gotten used to it and they’ve been great managing me throughout the week.

“After the Penrith game, I was no chance. I said, ‘Book me in, I’m not doing this sh*t’.

“I was in so much pain at the start but then as time goes on, I guess I’ve just gotten used to it with the amount of strapping.

“If I land on it awkwardly or cop a knock from the side, my shoulder squishes up. It’s pretty painful, to be honest. I’ve been carrying on a fair bit with it, but it’s a pretty annoying injury.

“After 30 seconds to a minute (the pain) gradually goes away and then I come good again. It can be sore, but the club’s been really good with minimising the amount of contact during the week.”

The injury has been made worse by Arrow not getting painkilling injections before games, while his output in the gym has also been severely reduced.

Arrow has bravely played through the pain but could get some relief next week with surgery on the cards. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“It’s my supraspinatus tendon (part of the rotator cuff). I didn’t even know what it was until the physio told me so,” he explained.

“If I was going to inject it, then I run the risk of the tendons weakening and then when I do get the surgery, it’s a seven to eight-month return to play, so I didn’t really want to mess with that one.

“I can’t do a full bench, I’ve been doing a partial range bench with a foam roller on my chest and I can get up to about 80kg. One-forty is my one-rep max, my personal best is 160kg as a young kid with fresh shoulders.”

Arrow could have easily had the surgery months ago, but with so many forwards missing this season, he fought through the pain, with skipper Cam Murray explaining just how much his efforts mean to the team.

“He epitomises what it means to be a good teammate. He always says his biggest fear is letting his teammates down and he shows that every week,” he said after Thursday’s win over Parramatta.”

Arrow has done anything but let his teammates down, which is why it comes as no surprise that his surgery could be delayed if Souths continue their winning streak next week.

“That’s why they’re reassessing after next week,” he said.

“If we do get the two points … miracles can happen and the ladder is so congested, I’m happy to do whatever. The physios and the coaching staff need to take it out of my hands and make the decision for me.”