Anyone who thinks Jai Arrow’s decision to sign with the Rabbitohs was an easy one is sorely mistaken.

The 24-year-old Gold Coast gun has emotional ties to the club and broke down when he shared the news with Head Coach Justin Holbrook, Head of Performance and Culture Mal Meninga and Chairman Dennis Watt.

“It was pretty emotional, to be honest. I had sort of made the decision while we were on holidays, so I called Justin, Mal and Dennis and just said to them that I’m going to have to part ways with the club,” Arrow told Foxsports.com.au

“I was pretty emotional on the phone – I was actually crying in my partner’s arms. They say men don’t cry but that’s not true.”

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Arrow was conscious of how fast news travels and knew that he had let his teammates know of the decision straight after informing the club.

“I knew once I had told my club and manager that it was going to come out pretty quick – it’s actually quite scary how quick word spreads – so I wanted to tell the boys before it got out in the media.

“I sent them a message in our WhatsApp group. I would have loved to tell them face-to-face – but it’s pretty hard to tell everyone when we’re all on holidays.”

But before he let the wider group of teammates know, Arrow made a phone call to one special person who’s had a big impact on his career.

“After I had told the coaches, Jarrod (Wallace) was actually the first person I called. He was a big part of why I came to the Gold Coast so I felt like he deserved that phone call.

“When I told him my decision he said to me, ‘look I’d obviously love you to stay, you’re one of my best mates but then again you have to do what’s best for you and I’m glad you did, I’m glad you put yourself first you’re usually the selfless type who puts others first so I’m glad you’ve made your decision, you can rest easy with it now and we can get on with things.’”

Jai Arrow and his good mate Jarrod Wallace hugging after a try. Source: Getty Images

For Arrow, leaving the Titans is a huge deal. He’s grown up on the Gold Coast, his teammates are his best friends and his career has sky rocketed while playing for them.

But when the opportunity arose to reunite with Rabbitohs head coach Wayne Bennett and assistant coach Jason Demetriou – whom he spent time with at the Broncos – Arrow couldn’t turn it down.

“I guess there’s a lot of factors in the decision, but one thing is that I’ve worked with Wayne and Jason before and when I first left the Broncos Wayne had said to me that he’d want to get me back.

“Also look at the squad they’ve got – it’s probably one of the best in the comp.”

Arrow is signed, sealed and will be delivered to the Rabbitohs next season on a four-year deal. But before he goes, he wants nothing more than for the Titans to play finals this year.

In fact, he wishes only success for the club, even after he’s left.

“It would mean everything to me (playing finals in 2020) being a Gold Coast kid growing up there and having pretty much lived there my whole life – it would be amazing.

“I really want to see the Titans be successful and for anyone who said that it was an easy decision for me to come down to Sydney it definitely wasn’t.

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“I’m a Gold Coast kid and have so much pride and love for the club – I’d love to see them play finals footy every year.

Jai Arrow celebrates his winning try during the round five NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Manly Sea Eagles. Source: Getty Images

“I’m solely focused on playing finals this season and going out with a good year with people I consider my best mates.”

Guiding him through his final year at the Titans is new coach Justin Holbrook and assistant coaches Jim Dymock and Jim Lenihan and Arrow couldn’t speak higher of them.

“Justin’s my third coach in the NRL, he’s been great. I’ve worked with him vaguely before he came to the Titans. The two new assistant coaches that have come in – both Jimmys – have been unbelievable too.

“They’re so technically smart and they’re great blokes as well which makes it even more enjoyable to go to training.”

There’s no doubt that Arrow will leave a hole in the Titans’ squad once he leaves. He has represented Queensland and Australia and is widely regarded as one of the most hardworking and consistent forwards in the game.

When he does move on though, Titans fans can take comfort in knowing that Arrow has plenty of faith in some of the younger forwards taking over his workload.

“I think Jai Whitbread can be anything – he’s a special kid. He works so hard, he’s always one of the last to leave the gym and one of the last to leave the field. There’s also Moeaki (Fotuaika) – him and Jai are both still really young.

Arrow believes young gun Jai Whitbread (pictured) will develop into something special for the Titans. Source: Getty Images

“You’ve also got good leaders in Ryan James, Jarrod Wallace and Kevin Proctor so I think the club will definitely be fine without me.

“There’s a lot of guys there who are willing to work hard and I’m sure will do more than do the job for the Gold Coast.”