Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has revealed when he will sit down with sporting director Ian Blease to make a decision over his future at the club.
The Australian – who was appointed a year ago today (Thursday) – is out of contract at the end of this season and torn between remaining at Leeds and returning to Australia to be close to his sons, who both play in the NRL competition.
Rhinos are anxious for Arthur to stay, but with just a third of the regular season left, are also keen to plan for 2026.
Speaking at his weekly preview press conference today, ahead of Friday’s home game against St Helens, Arthur said he still doesn’t know whether he will be at Leeds next year, but admitted the time to make a decision is coming.
“Maybe, I don’t know,” he said when asked if he could stay on. “It is a week to week thing. Me and Bleasey [sporting director Ian Blease] will sit down at the end of the month and have a good discussion and nut it out.
“We have got three games to get through, we’re going to have a chat then and he’ll put a time limit on it from there. In three weeks’ time, we are going to have a conversation.”
Brad Arthur ‘better’ for Leeds Rhinos experience
Arthur, who was axed by Parramatta Eels in May last year, has made a massive impact at Leeds and they are on course to qualify for their first play-off campaign since 2022.
Rhinos are third in the table with 17 of the 27 weekly rounds played and reflecting on his year at the helm, Arthur said: “It has been fun.
“I have enjoyed it. It has rejuvenated me a bit. I was a bit flat and down after how I ended in the last job, but that was needed for me. I think it was the right decision from the club at the time and myself and it has been good for me.
“It has given me a different look at some things and I have learned a lot of lessons. Sometimes you don’t learn lessons until you have to learn it the tough way and I did.
“I feel like it has made me better, I have really enjoyed the people here and the club. It is run by good people, it is heading in the right direction and I am enjoying the buy-in from the players at the moment.”
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