Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur has once again admitted that he has ‘unfinished business’ in the NRL but he’s admitted to being ‘really comfortable’ with his current situation.
Talk around the future of Brad Arthur was rife in 2025 given the fact that the Rhinos coach had only signed a short-term deal and that’s set to be the case again, with the Australian off-contract at the end of the year.
Making things more unsettling now is the addition of two clubs to the NRL in the 2027 and 2028 seasons and whilst Perth Bears have already appointed Mal Meninga as their coach, the fact that there will be 19 NRL head coaches and 19 sets of assistants simply stretches the coaching pool further, meaning off-contract coaches such as Brad Arthur will be in high demand.
He has silenced some of the immediate fears though with the Australian speaking on Fox League’s coverage of the NRL season openers, which were preceded by Arthur’s side hammering Hull KR 58-6.
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Leeds Rhinos boss ‘more settled’ as NRL questions asked
Speaking before his side had taken to the field, Arthur was asked about the possibility of an NRL return including the prospect of coaching the PNG Chiefs, who enter the competition in 2028.
In an honest answer, Arthur said: “Twelve months ago, I would have said that I was really desperate to get back but I feel like I’m a lot more settled now.”
Explaining why, he revealed that his daughter and wife are now in England, whilst son Jake signed for Hull FC in the off-season meaning it’s only his other son Matt, who plays for Newcastle, is back down under in terms of immediate family.
The Leeds boss explained: “I’ve changed where I was living, Charlotte is over here with Michelle so I’m really comfortable with what is happening at the moment.
“Yeah, I feel like I’ve got some unfinished business (in the NRL) and I’d like to get that opportunity again but when that time comes, I’ll be ready and I know I’ll be a better coach.
“At the moment, I’m so respectful to the opportunity that Leeds Rhinos have given me and (the opportunity) that the English game has given me, and I feel like that has helped my coaching.”
Such dominant coaching performances will only catch the eye of the NRL, especially given it came against Willie Peters, the man who is seemingly top of the list for the next NRL vacancy.
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