Former Leeds Rhinos hooker, Shaun Lunt, believes there is no limit to what his former side can achieve next year, following on from a successful 2025 season.
The Rhinos ended the season in fourth place, and secured their first home play-off game for the first time since 2017. They campaign was cut short, however, as a last gasp wonder try from St Helens’ Shane Wright snatched the victory away from them, and they were sent crashing out of the competition wondering what could have been.
Nevertheless, the difference in performances from Leeds last season compared to other years prior was night and day. Brad Arthur has been revolutionary in changing the side around, and with another NRL-level pre-season at the club, they will only improve even further under his tenue.
Lunt, who won a Grand Final with Leeds in 2012 and has now returned to the club to become an academy assistant coach, believes that Arthur should be hailed for his work, and has been the biggest factor in the club’s success.
Speaking to Serious About Rugby League about how he thinks Leeds will fare next year, he said: “I don’t think there’s a seal and cap on to what Leeds can achieve next year.
“Since Brad Arthur’s come in, he’s changed the way that Leeds dictate themselves, and they’re a lot better team than what they were when he first came in.
“I’m sure with the additions, and he’s only been there a short period of time so I’m sure he’ll wanting to be doing a lot more, I can imagine.
“I don’t think there’s a limit as to what they can achieve, they’ve got all the right coaching staff around them, the right club, the right fans around them. He’s building a really good platform for them to achieve success.”
Another of Lunt’s former teams, Hull KR enjoyed their best ever season in 2025, securing a historic treble in what has been a monumental payoff for work the club have put in on and off the pitch.
Like Leeds, the former hooker believes that the Robins’ success won’t be stopping any time soon, and he gave major credit to the club’s owner, Neil Hudgell, for his work behind the scenes.
He said: “I think what Willie Peters has done is nothing short of remarkable.
“I don’t think anyone can argue with the success with what they’ve been doing away from the club. What Neil [Hudgell]’s done for the club, he’s put so much of his heart and soul into that club and the building of the infrastructure.”
The Robins have an eventful opening to the Super League season, with an away trip to York Knights kicking things off and a trip to Las Vegas where they will face the Rhinos.
KR will also compete in the World Club Challenge against Brisbane Broncos, and will look to become the third British team in a row to win the event.
Lunt knows what it’s like to be in those huge match-ups, and he thinks the English outfit have a huge chance in that game, not only because it’s held in Hull, but because his former club will get a chance for what is essentially a warm-up game a week prior.
“I think they’ve got a great chance,” he said. “Obviously, after the 3-0 Ashes defeat the Aussies will be thinking we don’t have a chance, but it’s a total different ball game is the World Club Challenge.
“We’ve sort of got the upper hand because we get to play an extra game before, so we’re already in that competitive game [mindset].
“What an achievement for the record books it would be to Hull KR to win all four trophies in one year like Wigan did the other season.”
Former Leeds Rhinos hooker talks coaching ambitions after new role confirmed:
As mentioned, Lunt has now returned to Headingley to become an assistant coach in the academy. He will be working alongside Chev Walker in the role, as they look to continue the triumphs the side have had with the youth system both this year and in seasons gone by.
The 38-year-old was asked what his plans are for the future, and if he one day sees himself as a head coach, given his new venture. However, it’s fair to say Lunt is quite content with what he’s up to now.Want to be a coach:
“To be honest with you, I don’t even know what I want to do tomorrow!” he said.
“Look, I’m really enjoying my role at Mirfield, and I’m really enjoying the job that I’m doing now at at Elect [recruitment company who recently became a new sponsor at the Rhinos].
“At this moment in time, my focus is just on developing kids. My role at Mirfield is Head of Youth, and my role at Leeds is academy assistant coach, so I love nothing more than developing kids and giving them the best chance they can to help them achieve what I achieved in rugby and more.
“For me , I just want to help Chev, and give these boys both at Leeds and Mirfield, the best possible place in life so they can play their best footy on the field.”
