Queensland has paid an emotional tribute to former star Jai Arrow following his motor neurone disease diagnosis.
The 30-year-old was invited into camp by head coach Billy Slater despite his retirement.
And they confirmed yesterday that he would travel to Accor Stadium with the squad.
Today, ahead of Origin game one, the Maroons announced Arrow as their honorary 21st player after he was forced to retire.
He has also been given his own locker in the changing room, adorned with the aforementioned 21 jersey.
Arrow was with the team as they went for dinner in Parramatta after their arrival in Sydney on Tuesday.
Jai Arrow was named as the honorary number 21 for Queensland ahead of Origin 1
Jai Arrow arrived with the team ahead of kick-off
And coach Billy Slater called him the ‘life of the party’ during his time in the camp with the Maroons.
‘The boys get a kick out of seeing their mate … and he’s still the same Jai,’ Queensland coach Slater said on Tuesday.
‘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.’
Across his 11-year career, Arrow played alongside 12 of Queensland’s 19-man team for Origin 1 at either State or NRL level.
Arrow was a notable member of the Maroon team that pulled off the 2020 series upset alongside Kurt Capewell, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Lindsay Collins and Cameron Munster.
And according to coach Slater, those memories have been the order of the day as Arrow caught up with his former teammates.
‘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,’ Slater said.
Slater also went on to say that Arrow’s presence at the camp was more about supporting the 30-year-old who was forced to retire early as opposed to using his struggle as inspiration.
‘He’s giving a whole heap of inspiration but the decision to bring him in was not to inspire the group,’ Slater said.
‘It was certainly to be around him and support him.
‘Us as Queenslanders, we certainly acknowledged our player 196 last night and celebrated what he brought in the Maroon jersey.’
