[h=1]Sam Thaiday predicts Jai Arrow will play for Queensland and Australia[/h]
MAROONS ace Sam Thaiday says Brisbane’s next superstar Jai Arrow has the ability to play Origin and Test football as the Titans prepare to poach the Corey Parker clone.
Arrow faces a daunting NRL baptism this Saturday night when the 20-year-old workhorse debuts before a 52,000-sellout crowd against Manly in the double header at Suncorp Stadium.
Such is the excitement surrounding Arrow, five NRL rivals are gunning for the Australian Schoolboys star, including the Titans and Roosters coach Trent Robinson.
Arrow sealed his NRL promotion with an industrious display for the Queensland Residents last Sunday, amassing 50 tackles and 165 metres against NSW at Langlands Park.
Thaiday has stood alongside Parker in the heat of Origin and Test battle and he believes Arrow is capable of emulating the Broncos skipper by playing for Queensland and Australia.
“We want to be known again as a club that produces great young talent that goes on to represent their state and country and I’m sure Jai will be one of those players,” Thaiday said.
“He’s very much like Corey.
“As good as ‘Cozza’ (Parker) is going, he can’t play at the Broncos forever and it’s good to know we have a guy like Jai coming through to succeed him.
“He is so busy. We work really hard on our defence and Jai ticks all the boxes there.
“He is one of those players who puts his hand up for a tough carry and that’s what we need in Jai this week.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how he goes against Manly ... down the track he will play some really good football for us.”
Arrow is contracted to the Broncos until the end of next season. But with the club set to sign Matt Gillett to a $1 million-plus upgrade and looking to hand Parker another 12-month extension, the Broncos will face heavy competition to retain Arrow.
Arrow is a Burleigh junior who was snatched from the Titans backyard by the Broncos, who signed him while the tireless forward was still attending Keebra Park High.
Titans coach Neil Henry is a fan of Arrow’s work ethic and sees him as a potential recruit, a scenario that will be aided by the fact his mother still lives on the Gold Coast.
But the Broncos are determined to win the fight for Arrow, who is so talented he was Brisbane’s under-20s forward of the year, player of the year and players’ player last season.
In the Intrust Super Cup this season, Arrow has played 80 minutes every week bar one match for feeder-club Norths Devils.
Former Roosters and Titans recruitment chief Jamie Mathiou, who spotted Roosters hitman Dylan Napa, has known Arrow since the age of six and says he will dominate the NRL.
“He is the new age Corey Parker,” Mathiou said.
“His workrate is unbelievable. He has always been an elite kid, he’s the sort of guy who will make 40 tackles and run for 200 metres a game ... I have no doubt he will make it in the NRL.”
Thaiday is confident Arrow won’t be fazed by a showdown with big-name Manly forwards Nate Myles and Martin Taupau.
“I hope he isn’t daunted by it,” he said.
“Jai has played in the some under-20s semi-finals in front of big crowds so hopefully he will embrace the whole moment of it all. It is a special weekend for him to debut in the double header and hopefully he goes well.
“He has served his apprenticeship. It shows hard work and determination will get you a run in this team. He played pretty well in the Residents game and Wayne Bennett has been telling the young guys to play well for their teams and if they do, he will have no hesitation picking them for the Broncos.”
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