Inspired by his idol Gorden Tallis, Jai Arrow has done his best Raging Bull impression ahead of his surprise Queensland debut by issuing a bold challenge to the giant NSW pack: bring it on.
The fiery Gold Coast Titans bolter was one of three debutants named in a new-look Maroons team that threatens to be monstered by the form Blues pack in the June 6 State of Origin opener.
But 22-year-old Arrow is clearly unfazed.
"Bring it on. I can't wait," the bench forward said.
"I am going to love it. It's what I want - a challenge.
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"I am jumping out of my skin to get out there. Come next Wednesday I will be pretty fiery."
Asked who he hoped to target in Origin I in Melbourne, the 189cm, 101kg Arrow said: "All of them really, the whole 17.
"That's what Origin is all about.
"I don't just want to come on and just flatline it. I want to make a difference and hopefully change the game."
Arrow's straight talking echoed his hero Tallis but now the Titans lock wants to replicate his idol on the field in Origin I.
"My Origin hero was Gorden Tallis. I loved the way he played," Arrow said.
"He was aggressive. That's the sort of player I want to be."
Queensland coach Kevin Walters first noticed Arrow's Tallis-esque qualities in the Titans' round-two clash loss to the Warriors in March.
"What impressed me most about Jai was against the Warriors when he played front row and just took the whole team on by himself," he said.
"From that moment forward I thought this guy's really got something.
"We just couldn't ignore his form. He has been outstanding."
It has been a meteoric rise for Arrow, who couldn't crack an NRL starting side this time last year.
After irregular bench appearances over two seasons at Brisbane, Arrow linked with the Gold Coast in 2018 with the simple goal of nailing down a starting spot.
"I never expected to get a crack at the first Origin. Now I will soak it all up," said Arrow, who cleared himself of shoulder, rib and back complaints.
"I will take this shot and enjoy myself while doing it."
