Leeds Rhinos set for ‘crucial meeting’ about Brad Arthur

Leeds Rhinos are reportedly set to hold a “crucial meeting” with Brad Arthur today to discuss the Australian’s future with the club.

Currently, Arthur is only contracted until the end of the 2024 season but performances have seen a marked improvement under him with the 30-4 win over Wigan Warriors on Saturday being the biggest evidence of that.

Questions about Arthur’s future have been aplenty since his arrival in England but according to reports down under he will agree to a long-term deal at today’s ‘crucial meeting’.

That is per The Daily Telegraph who have reported that Arthur is “on the verge of extending his stay” at the Headingley club.

They report: “Arthur is expected to remain at Leeds for at least two more seasons with an eye towards heading the Western Bears in 2027.”

Arthur has continuously spoken about his desire to return to the NRL but conceded last week that an opportunity in 2025 looked unlikely. He was also named as the ‘favourite’ to take on the NRL’s upcoming new team in Perth, whom the Telegraph allude to.

Leeds Rhinos set for huge Brad Arthur boost

There were fears that Leeds Rhinos would be unable to keep Brad Arthur given the fact that the Western Bears job prospect is on the horizon, however, a key development will happen this weekend.

That is the fact that Brad Arthur’s wife will arrive in Leeds, something the Australian labelled as the “last piece”.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Post on Monday, Arthur explained: “My wife gets here on Saturday and I suppose she’s going to be the last piece of it, to make sure she’s comfortable. I’m sure she will be because she’s followed me around as footy has been our whole life so that won’t be an issue.”

It was also something that Leeds Rhinos captain Cam Smith referenced as he told BBC Sport West Yorkshire: “I think the boys are looking for him to stay but obviously his wife comes over in two weeks and I don’t think he’ll be saying much until the wife gets here. But yeah, I’d love him to stay.”

With Mrs Arthur’s arrival tomorrow and today’s ‘crucial meeting’, it seems likely that an announcement extending Brad Arthur’s deal with Leeds Rhinos could be imminent.