Leeds Rhinos recruit Maika Sivo has spoken on the phone call with Brad Arthur that convinced him to sign for the Headingley club.
Prior to Arthur’s dismissal from Parramatta Eels midway through the 2024 season, Sivo had played all of his NRL games under the Australian’s coaching and he now follows him to Super League.
During that NRL career, Sivo crossed the whitewash an impressive 104 times in 115 appearances which makes him one of the most lethal wingers to have played in the competition.
He displayed his impressive try-scoring ability during the end-of-season internationals for Fiji as well, scoring two against the Cook Islands and one against Papua New Guinea.
Those three tries capped off a 2024 campaign that saw him score an incredible 17 in 12 which has led to some claims from those Down Under that he will score 50 in Super League and potentially even earn Man of Steel honours.
Asked about that when appearing on BBC Radio Leeds, Sivo downplayed it as he called for consistent performances but did concede that tries are what he ultimately gets paid for.
How Brad Arthur coaxed Maika Sivo to Leeds Rhinos
Credit: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com
Having already signed veteran Ryan Hall, winger did not appear to be a position that Leeds Rhinos needed to recruit in but they went out and made the play for Maika Sivo with the Fijian flyer lauding the praise on Brad Arthur.
On why he’s joined Leeds Rhinos, Sivo explained: “I think I needed a different environment and a different group of boys. BA (Brad Arthur) gave me my first opportunity in the NRL and he has been a big part of my journey so coming here was easy because he was already here.
“He’s always been straightforward with me in telling me what I need to do. He’s been the only person to have coached me in the NRL and I’ve enjoyed it from the start so I’m looking forward to this year.”
Arthur’s straightforward approach has been noted by others and there was a definite boost in how resolute Leeds Rhinos were during his 10-game spell in 2024. He’s also been very no-nonsense in his recruitment with the Rhinos business done very quickly.
Sivo confirmed that it took just one phone call to convince him to make the Headingley switch, revealing: “I think my manager messaged me a week before he (Arthur) rang me but we were still sorting out some stuff. As soon as he called me and we talked a bit on the phone, by the end of that conversation I said ‘I’m coming’.”
Outlining his aims for 2025, the NRL veteran explained: “My goal this year is to play consistently week in and week out. I’ll just take it week by week. It’s a different competition so I’m looking forward to a different challenge here.
“That’s what BA got me here for, that’s my job as a winger and what I get paid to do.
