Brad Arthur is still getting to grips with his Leeds Rhinos squad but he oversaw his first game in charge yesterday with the Headingley club losing 20-12 to high-flying Hull KR.
Despite Arthur being in the coaching box with Chev Walker last Thursday for the Rhinos game against Warrington Wolves, the 50-year-old didn’t start work until the Friday. That meant he had eight days before yesterday’s game to prepare his team and it’s evident that his philosophy will suit the talents of certain players very well.
One of those that looks set to benefit is the much-maligned Matt Frawley who has been subject to plenty of criticism from Leeds Rhinos fans this season. He was recalled into the matchday 17 after Chev Walker selected Jack Sinfield last week against Warrington.
Speaking to the press after the defeat, Frawley’s impressive and far freer performance was noted and drew significant praise from the Leeds Rhinos boss.
Arthur stated: “I thought he was good, I thought he kicked well, controlled the game well. He had a couple of nice runs where he’d show and go back at the inside shoulder. He needs to do that for us every week. He should be a senior player in this team but I thought he was good. He stepped up.”
Who else did Brad Arthur praise after first Leeds Rhinos game?
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Front and centre for praise from Arthur was the Leeds Rhinos faithful with the fan support not lost on the Australian who made a clear and direct point to acknowledge the disappointment for the fans as he thanked them.
“It’s disappointing. I said it’s disappointing for the players. It’s disappointing for our fans. They came out to Headingley and really supported us. They were loud. They got behind the boys. It would have been nice to send them away with a victory.”
On the performance generally, efforts couldn’t be questioned and he noted an improvement from the week prior even if the club did fall short of the two points. He explained: “I feel like we tried hard enough and our effort was good enough to win. We just lacked a little bit of detail at times which sort of put us under pressure. But it was better than last week.”
Club captain Cam Smith and recent England call-up James McDonnell both had to leave the field which prompted concern from fans but Arthur provided assurances that for both men, it likely wasn’t an issue.
“Cam Smith was more cramps. He toiled and worked his backside off today. Probably got the better of him at the back end of the game there. He was out on his feet. I think it was cramps. And then with James (McDonnell), there was an ankle issue and it just got a bit stiff. So I’m not sure how bad that is moving forward.”
Alongside James McDonnell in the second-row was James Donaldson who made his first appearance since February, also against Hull KR, and the veteran forward drew praise from Arthur, specifically relating to his leadership.
Arthur explained: “He’s done a good job. He worked hard didn’t he? He’s just a good, honest footballer. Good talker in the group, the boys respect him. Yeah, he worked hard.”
Donaldson had been out long term alongside James Bentley, an absentee yesterday as he still recovers from his concussion issues, however, Arthur explained that the Irish international will be available next week.
Asked about Bentley, Arthur confirmed that he was fit, noting: “No, he’s ready to go now. I don’t know a lot about him. We had a few concerns around some of the outside backs that way we had to carry an outside back on the bench. They got through fortunately which is good. He’s up for selection next week.
