Leeds Rhinos dealt blow as Brad Arthur labelled ‘available’ and the ‘favourite’ for NRL job

Leeds Rhinos’ hopes of securing Brad Arthur beyond the current season have taken a blow with the Australian head coach labelled as both “available” and the “favourite” for an NRL job.

Arthur has now taken charge of four games at the club after arriving earlier in the season following the exit of Rohan Smith but his future beyond the current season is still undetermined.

The Australian is only contracted until the end of the 2024 campaign but he’s left the door open on a possible extension whenever he has spoken about his future.

However, he has also consistently maintained that he has ‘unfinished business’ in the NRL, confirming as recently as last week that it remains his aspiration to coach down under.

Now, reports from down under have emerged that name the former Parramatta Eels coach as “available” and as the “favourite” for an upcoming NRL gig, something which could massively halt Leeds Rhinos’ chances of securing him to a new deal.

QUIZ: Can you name these 10 former Super League head coaches?

Leeds Rhinos boss linked with NRL move

The role in question is as head coach of the Perth Bears who will join the NRL as the 18th team as soon as the 2027 season. They will be the only team on the West Coast of Australia and the venture is seen as a major development for the NRL.

For such a big venture, an experienced head coach will be required and Brad Arthur’s name has been thrown into the ring by pundits and journalists on Fox League’s NRL360 show.

Leading journalist Phil Rothfield suggested that Arthur will take on the role and reunite with his former Parramatta star Mitchell Moses given that Wayne Bennett is unavailable.

James Hooper then labelled the current Leeds Rhinos boss as ‘favourite’ for the role.

He stated: “2027 they are looking at (entering the competition), the man who wants the job is Brad Arthur and he is available at the moment.

“So that makes a lot of sense, he has proven in terms of recruitment he can go into the market and he’s an attractive proposition to players. I’d have him as the favourite at the moment.

“Peter V’landys and Andrew Abdo will ensure, given what’s at stake, that the team will have a good set-up.”

Given the fact the Bears won’t enter the NRL till at least 2027, there’s a possibility that Leeds Rhinos could tempt Arthur to stay on for 2025 before his return down under in 2026 to prepare for Perth’s debut season.