Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur insists he is loving his time in England, but hasn’t made a decision on his long-term future.
The former Parramatta Eels boss joined Leeds Rhinos last July on a 10-match contract which was later extended until the end of 2025.
Rhinos are keen to keep Arthur at the club for longer, but he has made no secret of his ambition to coach again in the NRL at some stage and is being linked with a proposed new franchise in Perth.
Rhinos’ season begins on Saturday when they play host to amateurs Wests Warriors in the Betfred Challenge Cup.
When asked for an update on his future, Arthur said: “We’ll just play it by ear and see what happens. All I know is I am really enjoying my time here.”
Despite facing non-league opposition, Arthur has named a near full-strength squad for his first Cup tie.
Lachie Miller, Maika Sivo and Jarrod O’Connor are injured, but the only other senior player not included in Rhinos’ initial 21 is second-rower James Bentley.
After falling at the first hurdle in the last four seasons, Rhinos are desperate for a good Cup run and to build high standards for next week’s Super League opener at home to Wakefield Trinity.
“We want to try and make a big deal out of it,” Arthur said of the Challenge Cup. “It is a different competition to the normal Super League so we are going to make sure we get something out of it.
“In our last game, the Ash Handley testimonial [against Wigan Warriors two weeks ago], our discipline was poor, with penalties and some sloppy errors. We are concentrating on making sure we are better this week.”
Leeds Rhinos boss calls out errors of pre-season games
Warriors beat Eastern Rhinos and Army to reach the third round. They finished second and were Grand Final runners-up in the Southern Conference last year, but their league campaign doesn’t begin until April.
Arthur has “had a little bit of a look” at some footage of them in action, but stressed: “We are just going to worry about ourselves and our discipline.
“It doesn’t matter who we play if we give away cheap leg outs and cheap possession. That’s our priority.
“We’ll be doing all the things we’ve been working on and practicing, all our systems, making sure everyone’s clear what their job descriptions are and what role they play.”
Assessing how pre-season, which began in November, has gone, Arthur said: “We’ve worked hard.
“It has been a good education for me – I haven’t had as long [as in Australia] to prepare a team so I have enjoyed that part of it. It has been more pointed at what’s important.
“I’d like to have a fully-fit squad, which we don’t have, but that’s all part of the game. I am trying to build a bit of resilience in a lot of our young guys and unfortunately the more work you do, the more you put yourself at risk of injury. They will be better for it in the long-term.
“We will know more four or five rounds in if we’ve done enough work, but I thought we got tested pretty good against Wigan in the trial. They taught us a lesson on discipline, I reckon.”
Brad Arthur has named his 21 man squad to take on @wests_warriors
in the @TheChallengeCup this Saturday at AMT Headingley with Keenan Palasia, Cooper Jenkins and Jake Connor set for their official debuts and Harry Newman looking to make his 100th appearance for the club— Leeds Rhinos (@leedsrhinos) February 6, 2025
