“He is a shining light on the horizon, no doubt about that. I think he will be representative class down the track.”

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Gould added that patience should be shown with young playmakers.

“You’ve just got to protect them from themselves a little bit. He’s got no fear, and kids like that you’ve got to protect from themselves,” Gould explained.

“They just need to be careful not to let the current needs overweigh the long-term development of a very talented player.

“I would hate to see him rushed too much and too often into that position, and he’s certainly not there to save them.

“But to develop him properly over a period of time they need to take their time with him. For the teams at the bottom, when you’re having those days where you’re getting beaten by 40 and 50, it can be a very harrowing experience for them out there.

“Fans have just got to be patient.”

Bunnies sweat on Arrow’s rotator cuff recovery

South Sydney back-rower Jai Arrow will miss at least the next month due to a rotator cuff injury suffered during the Rabbitohs’ round one loss to Manly.

Arrow returned from Las Vegas with teammates last week and underwent medical assessments from specialists after being limited to 53 minutes by the issue.

At this stage the Rabbitohs are prepared to rehabilitate Arrow’s injury without surgery.

At least a month-long lay-off is expected, though that could extend further depending on how the injury responds. In a worst-case scenario it could require a season-ending operation.

The Bunnies are already without star centre Campbell Graham for half of the season after he went under the knife to repair an ongoing sternum injury.

Arrow shifted to the right edge this season to allow NSW Origin rookie Keaon Koloamatangi to move back to the Rabbitohs’ lethal left edge alongside Cody Walker and suspended recruit Jack Wighton.

Coach Jason Demetriou will confirm Arrow’s replacement later on Tuesday ahead of a crunch trip to Brisbane, with Jacob Host in line for a starting role.

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