Queensland Maroons coach Billy Slater has given a heart warming update on the impact of Jai Arrow’s presence in the camp ahead of State of Origin I in Sydney.
Speaking extensively to the media on Tuesday, Slater detailed how the team is honouring the sudden end of Arrow’s playing days and the enduring qualities he “loves” about the forward.
“When I think of Jai Arrow, I’m very fortunate to be one of the few people who have been his teammate on the field, but also being his coach off the field as well,” said Slater.
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“The one thing that I love about Jai is (that) he’s reliable. He’s hard, he’s tough, but being a reliable mate and a reliable teammate, that’s one thing that I love about Jai.
“His words when he did an interview with Danika Mason, I thought the fact that he wants to inspire people is pretty inspirational.
Queensland Maroons Coach, Billy Slater. Getty
“When people like Jai go through adversity and tough times and they’re thinking about others and what they can do for others, that’s a pretty cool legacy to leave.”
Arrow retired immediately from the NRL last week after he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. The forward played 12 matches for the Maroons in an illustrious career and Slater invited him into camp in Sydney this week to support the player after the shock diagnosis.
“It was nice, it was good to see him last night,” Slater explained.
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Jai Arrow with Maroons players on Monday night. Nine
“We went out for dinner last night in Parramatta. Look, Jai’s one of those guys that loves being around his mates, his teammates, a footy environment. He’s the life of the party, and that was no different last night.
“To see Jai laughing, joking with his teammates, it was a really cool environment to be in.
“We just thought that it was really important that…we bring Jai in. It was a great opportunity to celebrate Jai’s career.
“We all know the journey that he’s embarking on and it’s going to be a really tough one. We’re all there for him as Queenslanders, as members of the rugby league community. But at the end of the day, he’s also retiring from rugby league, and we can’t forget that.
“So, us as Queenslanders, we certainly acknowledged our player 196 last night and celebrated what he brought in the Maroon jersey.”
Slater also touched on the tragic passing of AFL legend Neale Daniher, who died following his own lengthy, public battle with MND – the same diagnosis Arrow now faces.
“And just off the back of Jai, on behalf of myself, on behalf of all Queenslanders, on behalf of rugby league people in general, I just want to send my condolences to the Daniher family, the wider AFL community down there in Melbourne,” Slater added.
Head coach Billy Slater extended an invite to Jai Arrow after his MND diagnosis. Getty
“I spent a lot of time in Melbourne, I live in Melbourne and I know what Neale Daniher, what the legacy he has left, and the impact he’s had on people.
“And like I said, if we can leave this earth with a legacy of other people being better people for your time here, well, job done.
“I know Neale Daniher has done that, so my love, support and condolences go out to the Daniher family.
“Look, the players have been great. And to be honest, it’s not about the players, it’s about Jai. The decision to bring Jai in was purely to support him.
“He’s giving a whole heap of inspiration, but the decision to bring him in was not to inspire the group, it was to be around him and support him.
“The boys get a kick out of seeing their mate as well and he’s still the same Jai. He’s obviously going through a bit and his speech is failing him a little bit, but he’s still got the same sense of humour.
“I can tell he still loves being a Queenslander, and I think they got a big kick out of it.
“And he’s definitely going to be in our company, come game night…he’ll be on the bus coming to the game and he’ll be with the team.”
Fullback Kalyn Ponga echoed his coach’s sentiment on the impact Arrow’s presence has had in the Queensland camp.
Arrow joined some of his former teammates in Sydney for dinner on Monday night with Ponga explaining what went on.
Kalyn Ponga. Nine
“He’s in there now. We went out for dinner, he shared some words and we celebrated his career really as a Maroon,” he said on Nine’s 100% Footy.
“Billy got up and spoke about some of the qualities Jai has and we’ve all seen through the years. Just to see him in camp with a smile (was nice), he’s in good spirits. He’s a Queenslander and it’s nice to have him around and he’s enjoyed it too.”
Ponga will form a new-look spine combination for the Maroons in game one with Sam Walker picked at halfback, joining Cameron Munster and Harry Grant in key positions.
Walker replaces the injured Tom Dearden and will make his debut while Ponga edged out Reece Walsh for the No.1 jersey.
While there’s plenty of points in the spine, Ponga believes it’s all down to the forwards.
“Obviously Sammy will make his debut which is special and I’m looking forward to playing out there with him and Munny (Cameron Munster), we know what we’re going to get from Munny,” he said.
“But Origin’s a game of the forwards, it’s our forwards that will lay the platform. Attack’s obviously important but you can’t go out there with that mindset too much. We’ve got to win the game and got to earn the right.”
The Maroons take on the Blues in Sydney on Wednesday night.
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