Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur named as ‘contender’ for vacant NRL role

Brad Arthur might have only recently committed to Leeds Rhinos but he is already being linked with a vacant NRL coaching role.

Arthur was appointed to replace the departed Rohan Smith back in June and guided Leeds to five wins from his ten games in charge, ultimately missing the play-offs by just two points, but he’s now being linked to the vacant Brisbane Broncos job.

Whilst it wasn’t a stellar record that Arthur led the Rhinos to, he did face a tough gauntlet of opponents including both Wigan Warriors and Hull KR twice as well as Warrington Wolves.

In fact, Leeds played play-off teams in six of the ten games he took charge of but winning just one of those was the difference between them making the top six and not.

Despite that failure to crack the play-offs, he was handed a new one-year extension meaning he’s contracted to the Headingley club until the end of the 2025 season.

However, that has now prevented him from being listed among the top candidates to be appointed as the new Brisbane Broncos head coach after Kevin Walters’ shock sacking.

Ex-Saints boss joins Leeds Rhinos coach on shortlist for Brisbane Broncos gig

Brisbane Broncos made the Grand Final in 2023 but failed to come close to the play-offs this year and that’s seen wholesale change at the club. Assistants Lee Briers and John Cartwright have already committed to Super League roles and it was announced earlier this week that head coach Kevin Walters had been sacked.

With an incredibly talented roster on show, there is scope for the next head coach to come and imprint their mark on the club and turn the culture around and Leeds Rhinos man Brad Arthur has been touted as one of those who could do that.

A report down under from Fox Sports has picked out a variety of options that the Broncos will consider and Arthur is named second on the list as they hint at a “fresh start” for the 50-year-old.

Despite his contract extension, the report references a supposed clause in Arthur’s contract that allows him to leave for the NRL should an opportunity arise.

That will certainly worry Rhinos fans and perhaps explains why Arthur was intent on only penning a one-year extension at Leeds, something that Director Rugby Ian Blease noted previously.

He has also been very open, even bullish, about his intent to return to the NRL and whilst this coaching vacancy remains open, Leeds Rhinos fans have every right to be concerned.

Also on the list of candidates is former St Helens boss Justin Holbrook who is currently the assistant at Sydney Roosters. Holbrook was last the head coach of Gold Coast Titans and had been a target for Warrington Wolves before he U-turned on the decision, leading to the Wire hiring Sam Burgess.