Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur admits he is keeping an eye out for opportunities to return to the NRL. The head coach has spent nine months in charge of the Rhinos having taken the reins on an initial short-term basis in July last year.
The Rhinos persuaded him to stay at Headingley for the 2025 campaign and Arthur has revealed that the club are keen for him to extend his tenure beyond the end of the season. The Australian, who left his family at home to take up the role with Leeds, is keeping his options open, though, and is yet to make a decision on his future.
Arthur made his mark on a struggling Leeds last season, helping the club win five Super League games in their final nine games. However, this season has been inconsistent to say the least with Leeds winning three and losing three of their opening six games.
In that run, Leeds Rhinos have beaten champions Wigan Warriors as well as Salford Red Devils and Castleford Tigers. But they’ve disappointingly fallen short against Wakefield Trinity, Catalans Dragons and Warrington Wolves.
As such, they’ll be looking to build up some momentum in the coming weeks to establish themselves as challengers under Arthur. What lies beyond this season for Arthur, though, is still very much up in the air.
“They want me to stay but I’m holding them off a bit,” Arthur told the Daily Telegraph’s Buzz Rothfield.
“I’m enjoying it, I really am. But I want to coach in the NRL again and I’d like to come home.
“I’m not praying for any coach getting moved on, but at some stage halfway through the year a couple of the teams will be under pressure.
“Who knows what’s going to happen. Hopefully I’ll get another chance and see what happens.”
He continued: “Coming over here has been good for my coaching. I feel like I’ve worked on a couple of things I probably got wrong at Parra.
“I’ve done things a bit differently. I’ve learnt to focus on what the priorities are. Working with different personalities. Keeping things simple. It’s been good for me.”
