Leeds Rhinos boss ‘interviews’ for Perth Bears job as exit looms

There has been a major update on the future of Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur and his interest in the Perth Bears job, with formal interviews starting after the NRL start-up appointed a Chief Executive Officer.

After being confirmed as the NRL’s 18th team, Perth Bears have set about establishing themselves in time for their 2027 entry into the competition and that’s seen them appoint their new CEO.

The Western Australian-based outfit have confirmed Anthony De Ciglie, the director of news and current affairs at 7News, to the role and they’ve since began formal interviews for the role of head coach.

Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur has long been seen as a front-runner with the Australian declaring his interest in the role and also reportedly being offered a $5.5 million contract.

The Sydney Morning Herald have now confirmed Arthur to be one of two senior coaches to have been interviewed for the role, with the idea of Arthur being at Leeds Rhinos beyond 2025 seeming unlikely.

Major Brad Arthur update as Leeds Rhinos boss makes case for Perth Bears job

Arthur isn’t contracted beyond 2025 anyway but the fact he has held his formal interview for the Bears job highlights his clear interest in the role. The Herald reported that he spoke on Zoom with League HQ with the NRL needing to approve the appointment.

They outlined that he and the other interview, Mal Meninga, were “stating their cases to the game’s powerbrokers” with the current Australia head coach having come out of the blue in recent weeks to be a front-runner.

It was recently suggested by journalist David Riccio that Hull KR head coach Willie Peters could serve as an assistant to someone like Meninga and take on the role in a few years as part of a succession plan.

The NRL are keen to make an appointment soon so that the head coach can start assembling a squad and making plans to ensure the 2027 arrival of the team is a successful one.

Sam Burgess is another Super League head coach who has been linked and confirmed his interest, whilst Peters did speak on the reports but insisted his focus was with the Robins.