Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur is expected to sign a two-year deal with the club before exiting at the end of the 2026 season to prepare for life back in the NRL as head coach of the NRL’s newest team, Western Bears.
The earliest the Bears are expected to take their place in the NRL is 2027 and Arthur is the strong favourite to take charge of the club, labelled only the other day as the ‘favourite’ for the role.
His squad-building ability and recruitment is on a par with few others, barring perhaps the master Wayne Bennett, and it’s believed that the current Leeds Rhinos boss will be able to draw plenty of talent to the NRL’s newest side.
The Bears will be based out in Perth making them the only NRL team on Australia’s West Coast, which is also where Arthur’s wife hails from.
With such heavy expectation that he will take the role, outlets down under have begun to predict what sort of team Arthur could compile based on which players will be off contract for 2027. The Daily Telegraph has formed a 17-man squad that features two current Super League stars.
Leeds Rhinos and Wire star touted for NRL switch
Credit: Imago Images
With Arthur leading the side, The Telegraph have touted two current Super League stars to go with him including one of his Leeds Rhinos players.
Those men are Rhinos centre Paul Momirovski and Warrington flyer Matt Dufty with The Telegraph explaining why each man could make the return.
They’ve also explained why Brad Arthur is the perfect man to take the helm.
“Another factor that could benefit the Bears if Arthur is announced as coach is an influx of Super League players returning to Australia,” The Telegraph wrote.
“Arthur is coaching former premiership winner Paul Momirovski, who will be off contract in the UK at the end of the 2026 season.
“Alongside him, exiled players Matt Dufty and Brodie Croft could find their way back into the NRL if they continue their solid form in the English competition.”
Specifically on Arthur, Dufty and Momirovski, they wrote the following.
Arthur: “Experience and drawing power is what’s needed to ensure the Bears hit the ground running, and Arthur’s ticks all those boxes. Expect an influx of Eels and Leeds players to follow suit.”
Dufty: “Off contract at the end of 2026, it is time for Dufty to make his NRL return. Since moving to the Super League, Dufty has been in fine form for Warrington, and with a few more years under his belt, he will bring valuable experience to the 18th franchise.”
Momirovski: “A former premiership winner and part of two other premiership-winning squads, Momirovski brings a wealth of experience and knows what it takes to reach the top. A goal-kicking option as well, the Super League player has an arsenal of skills that could kick off the Bears’ new franchise.”
