Leeds Rhinos boss sets lofty expectation for star forward in 2025

Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has thrown down a challenge to his pack leader.

Arthur insists there is “no reason” why Mikolaj Oledzki can’t be on top of his game in 2025, now his long-term future is assured.

The prop this week signed a new contract which adds three years to his previous deal, due to expire this autumn.

He is now committed to Leeds Rhinos until the end of 2028 and Arthur expects to see him reproduce the form that made him the club’s player of the year in back-to-back seasons – a feat only former Men of Steel Iestyn Harris and Jamie Peacock can match during the Super League era.

“I have really enjoyed my time coaching Mik and I think he can develop into a really strong front-rower, not just for our team, but in the competition,” Arthur said of the Polish-born forward who has been capped three times by England.

“That’s our expectation of him, we are looking for a big, strong year out of him. You can see he is nice and relaxed at training, but he’s working really hard.

“He is very fit for a front-rower, he’s very good physically and he has a great attitude. There’s no reason why he can’t be at his best this year, because there’s no issues – his future is sorted, he is healthy, he is fit and he is ready to play some good footy.”

Oledzki’s potential availability had attracted interest from Super League rivals and Arthur said the decision to stay put is “great for the club”.

He added: “He has spent a lot of time here, been through some tough times and hopefully he can get some good times out of it. It shows, with the work Bleasy [sporting director Ian Blease] is doing, the club is heading in the right direction and players want to stay here.

“That’s pretty important; it is a good example to the other guys because there’s a few guys coming off contract.”