Brad Arthur reflects on two-year anniversary of Leeds Rhinos’ arrival as first thoughts recalled

Brad Arthur has admitted that the very first half of Leeds Rhinos that he watched had him questioning his decision to make the switch with the head coach reflecting on two years at the club.

Last Friday marked two years since Leeds Rhinos confirmed Brad Arthur as their head coach, initially on a 10-game deal, whilst Sunday’s game against Castleford will mark the two-year anniversary of the first game he coached.

Upon arriving back in July of 2024, Arthur watched Leeds lose to Warrington Wolves before then taking charge a week later against Hull KR.

Speaking in his weekly presser and recalling his first day, Arthur said: “It was (a game) at Warrington, I think I’d just got off the plane and met Bleasey. I’d had an hour sleep and went to the game.

“I was cold and I was tired and we weren’t that great and I was wondering what I’d gone myself in for but that was in the first half, then we came out in the second half and I saw plenty of fight and courage in the team.

“That was enough for me to know that there was more than enough to work with.”

The Rhinos had been 24-4 down at the half in that game and whilst their second half resurgence could not win them the game, it ultimately convinced their head coach that he’d made the right call and started the process for where Leeds are now.

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Leeds Rhinos boss reflects on two years at Headingley

Nothing is won in July but Leeds now look very strong favourites to claim the League Leaders Shield and they’re also now the betting favourites for the Grand Final, with lots of that thanks to the transformation that Arthur has overseen.

However, when asked about his favourite moment at the club in his two years, Arthur pointed to the accountability that both staff and players showed when he arrived, with that desire to improve allowing him to take the side to where they are now.

He explained: “The response to when I first got here and asked a lot of questions, the one thing that was consistent for me was that every player and every staff member went down the same path that the wanted higher standards and expectations, and they wanted to be held more accountable.

“It’s easy to say that but it’s hard to deliver. You can deliver on it for a little while and you can buy into it for a little while but you’ve got to be able to handle the truth and it takes a lot of honesty, hard work, tough love, it takes a bit of cuddling at times.

“But everyone’s response has been pleasantly enjoyable and surprising and that’s the thing that I’ve really enjoyed.”

He added: “(It’s) a group and club that just wanted to do better and everyone is doing their bit. We’ve got a lot a people contributing, from the players to the staff, and that’s the bit that I’ve really liked and enjoyed.”

Arthur also noted just how positive the people have been, something he accepted made the decision to sign his recent two-year deal all the easier.

“Number two is the people,” the Australian said, adding: “They’ve made me feel welcome, they’ve made my family feel welcome. I feel like I’ve been here for a long time, I feel like I belong and I think that’s important and it was a big factor in why I wanted to stay.”