Leeds Rhinos halfback Jake Connor is the latest player at the club to speak on head coach Brad Arthur amid reports of his possible exit, with Connor calling for the Australian to stay at Headingley.
Connor’s development under Arthur has been significant, and considering the variations of spine combinations the boss has had to make due to injuries, Connor has been a stalwart.
Andy Ackers, Brodie Croft and Lachie Miller have all missed a chunk of games this season, with Miller’s return and his combinations with Connor in attack serving as a real highlight for Rhinos fans.
Connor shared with Sky Sports post-match after their 17-4 victory over St Helens on Saturday that working with Arthur might have saved his career.
He said: “Yeah, he’s been unreal for me and probably changed my career form around.
“There’s not too much pressure that he puts on me, but just the way he plays and his game plan, he likes to free me up.”
“Best coach some will ever have” – Leeds Rhinos stars makes Brad Arthur appeal
Connor would admit that in recent weeks he’s perhaps not been as free as previous but the Leeds Rhinos man put that blame on himself and not on the head coach, who would continue to shower in praise.
On his free playing style, he said: “It’s probably me that is not doing that to myself at the moment, I’d like to go a bit more free, but it’s probably in those situations where I need to learn from, but he’s given me that freedom, and he’s been unreal for me.
The Leeds Rhinos halfback is flourishing in the number six role and with thirteen try assists, only second in the league to Leigh Leopards’ Lachlan Lam, most of Leeds’ attack goes through Connor’s hands or through his kicks.
With reports linking Brad Arthur with a move back to the NRL, Connor admitted that the squad is desperate for him to stay, but what they’ve learnt from him as a coach has been invaluable.
He finished: “Yeah, I’d love him to stay. I’ve said to a few boys that he’ll be the best coach that some of them will ever have.
“The things that we have learnt from him, if he does go, will stay with this team for a long time.”
Leeds Rhinos next face Hull FC at AMT Headingley on Friday 16th May.
“He’s been unreal for me” 👏
Jake Connor explains how Brad Arthur has helped improve his game 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/CkKSZvBOpa
— Sky Sports Rugby League (@SkySportsRL) May 3, 2025
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