Jai Arrow has made just three Origin appearances but Maroons legend Billy Moore has seen enough to declare the Titans lock a future Queensland leader.
As the countdown to the 2019 Holden State of Origin series intensifies, Arrow's outstanding start to the Telstra Premiership makes him a hot favourite to feature in Kevin Walters' team at Suncorp Stadium on June 5.
A starting front-rower who racked up 104 run metres in Queensland’s 18-12 win in the final match of last year's series, Moore believes Arrow should wear the No.13 jersey in 2019 despite selectors having a small field of props to pick from.
Moore expects Arrow to become one of the key members of Queensland's leadership group in the coming years.
"I don't think it’s too early to think he will be a future leader for Queensland," Moore said of the 23-year-old.
Match Highlights: Titans v Knights
"Not now, but in two or three years' time when he has learned from all the hard-heads and experienced more of what Origin throws at you, someone like him will definitely be in the leadership group for Queensland."
Arrow was one of four Queensland debutants in last year's series and said the reality of playing in the Origin arena exceeded all expectations.
He believes a new-look Maroons team can take confidence from their win in the final match of 2019 as they try to fill the void created by the representative retirements of Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston and now Greg Inglis.
I didn't realise how fast and physical Origin was until I got out there
Titans forward Jai Arrow
"That's obviously what us younger players want to do," said Arrow, who is averaging 153 metres per game and just under 30 tackles.
“We're all still trying to earn a spot in that team. No one is locked in at this stage.
"If we get picked then we can take a lot of momentum out of game three, especially having a few of the older boys come in and hopefully show us a few things and let us know where they think we can better.
"When you go into camp you are in awe of the players that are around you. I had to soak it all in as quick as I could and focus on the game.
"I didn't realise how fast and physical Origin was until I got out there. You watch it on TV but it's nothing compared to what it's actually like.
"It's a totally different ball game, especially from club level."
Surprised at how quickly Arrow emerged as an Origin contender in his first season at the Titans last year, Moore said it was evident early that the Burleigh Bears junior could handle the step up.
"In Origin, you realise very quickly, within 10 or 15 minutes, whether you're out of your depth or not," Moore explained.
"Some players just can't adapt to Origin, it's just the way it is. You can't train for it, you get picked because you're going well in the NRL, you step into the contest and for some players, it's above them."
