Jai Arrow has been ruled out of next Wednesday’s third State of Origin clash in Newcastle for COVID breach, with reports he invited a woman into Queensland camp on the Gold Coast.
The NRL confirmed on Thursday Arrow will leave camp and commence 14 days isolation at home.
Arrow was fined $35,000 and issued a two-game ban, which will include Origin III and one South Sydney game.
“I know I have let a lot of people down, including my teammates, coaching staff and fans right across the rugby league community,” Arrow said n a statement.
“For this I am truly sorry. I have fully cooperated with the NRL integrity unit, and I understand the scrutiny and criticism coming my way.”
NRL boss Andrew Abdo said : “There are no excuses for breaching the protocols, they are our licence to continue playing – players have to comply, or we will all face the consequences.”
“I want to be very clear, any material deliberate repeat offence by a player will result in us removing that player from the approved bubble roster.”
The NRL said it notified Queensland Health as soon as it was made aware of the breach. The Queensland camp will continue on the Gold Coast as scheduled with additional 24-hour security added to the team hotel to ensure the squad’s compliance with the game’s Biosecurity Protocols.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported Thursday that “Queensland’s State of Origin preparations have be thrown into turmoil with Jai Arrow rubbed out of game three for allegedly bringing a woman back to the team hotel.”
It is the latest issue in a string of dramas first-time Maroons coach Paul Green has endured during this series.
Injuries and health scares to key players dominated the build-up to their series opener in Townsville, before would-be debutant Ronaldo Mulitalo was ruled out on the morning of game two because of eligibility concerns.
With Francis Molo already set to replace the suspended David Fifita, Arrow’s exclusion is likely to pave the way for Brisbane prop Tom Flegler’s debut.
Queensland have lost by a combined 76-6 across the first two games, putting the Blues on track to register the most dominant series sweep in Origin history.
The Arrow investigation comes the same week the NRL fined 13 St George Illawarra players a combined $305,000 for breaking NSW public health orders by partying at now-sacked Dragons prop Paul Vaughan’s house.
Anna_B
Roar Rookie
Her surname is Cannon. He's looking down the barrel.
Cat Brown
Guest
It’s not stupidity it just plain arrogance. He “snuck” the woman in therefore he knew it was wrong yet did it snyway. Arrogance. Please let no one else be involved
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
"I don’t think I have ever been $35000 horny" - I have, unfortunately I didn't have $35,000. So I just layed on my arm until it got numb then it feels like someone else is doing it
GregM
Roar Rookie
looks like she’s off hahahahahahahaha Arrow and Cannon – a former Miss World Australia – appeared to be back on after they were photographed outside the Origin sheds after Game I in Townsville. However, judging by Cannon’s social media activity, Arrow’s indiscretion looks to have signalled an end to their relationship. A Sydney Morning Herald report described the woman Arrow smuggled into his hotel room as a “dancer”, with SMH writer Andrew Webster revealing that Cannon has now “unfollowed” the star forward on Instagram as a result of the scandal. https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl-2021-jai-arrow-queensland-maroons-forward-covid-breach-girlfriend-unfollows-032913148.html
Davico
Roar Pro
Yep let's all do whatever the F we want with no repercussions! Is that how you want things to work?
JGK
Roar Guru
Maybe something like: There was bloke in Origin iso called Jai whose libido was incredibly high He said “I’ve got the answer” “I’ll smuggle in a “dancer” “ “But I never touched her, Mr Abdo, that’s no lie. “
JGK
Roar Guru
Not bawdy enough for a classic Limerick. Particularly when then is so much material to work with here.
Rossi
Roar Rookie
Blocker does have a fantastic rack
Rossi
Roar Rookie
Of course, my bad. So sounds like he had himself a dancer, a ballerina perhaps? Line dancer? Classical? Break?
elvis
Roar Rookie
If that's the way you take feedback then you will never learn or improve. I love it when someone takes the time to correct my errors and let me know. So then I don't make them again, mostly. I can't stand the culture of sniggering at someone when they make a mistake instead of helping them. Makes for a toxic workplace.
R N
Roar Rookie
I heard his mum is even upset he got picked!
R N
Roar Rookie
Just when you think NRL players are at peak stupidity...
Tony
Roar Guru
Nailed it Phil :laughing:
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Nah qlders use Mango skins. Breed em tough up north
Phil
Roar Rookie
There was a young bloke called Jai who's ego was incredibly high He thought he was cool to break a team rule and now he's had to say good-bye.
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
That's totally possible..
Devil's advocate
Guest
If that policy was in place, Manly would have struggled to field a XIII last year...
matth
Roar Guru
Maybe as a performer they were just engaging in some competitive Dance Dance Revolution?
Ben Lewis
Roar Pro
I really hate that he is able to serve his two match ban while in isolation... if he had to be put in isolation for 14 days after being labelled a close contact somewhere through no fault of his own he'd be missing 2 games without being banned. He should be serving his two match after his isolation period ends.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
I like how the reports don't describe her as a dancer, but a "dancer"