The Arthur clan go head to head in Super League.
Hull FC half-back Jake Arthur.
Brad Arthur won’t be asking for any tips from his wife and daughter ahead of Sunday’s game against son Jake Arthur and Hull FC.
The Leeds Rhinos head coach will go up against the half-back in the Super League round-five clash – having been left alone in West Yorkshire as the family got together in the city of Hull this week.
Settling into a new club, Arthur junior is set for his fifth game for Hull and is looking for a big performance against Dad and the high-flying Rhinos.
“I spoke to him earlier in the week, but we haven’t really talked too much footy,” Arthur said. “His sister has been more into him. They went there last night (Thursday) – Charlotte and Michelle (Jake’s mum) – just to spend the night. They’re very tight-lipped on anything to do with Hull as a footy club.”
Of course, it won’t be the first time the father and son have been on opposite sides in a rugby league game. After debuting under his dad at Parramatta Eels and scoring a try in the 2022 NRL Grand Final, Arthur found himself on the opposite side at fellow Sydney club Manly Sea Eagles the following season.
It was his dad’s side who ran out 34-4 winners that day, and now, three years on, they meet again, with Hull looking to jumpstart their season with a much-needed victory.
“It’s just part of the game but it was weird,” Arthur said of the 2023 meeting, which his side won 34-4. “It was not long after he left (Parramatta).
“I found myself watching him at times, and I had to snap myself out of it, so I’ve been able to learn from it. My focus is on the Rhinos and what we’ve got to do to get better from last week. His focus is on how he will help Hull.”
Meanwhile, Arthur is expecting a fired-up Hull side at the MKM Stadium, with both sides crashing out of the Challenge Cup last week. And while the Black and Whites are still to get going this year, the Leeds boss – three from four in Super League so far – is anticipating a tough test, and especially up against former player Sam Lisone.
“Their effort has been really good,” he added. “They are trying hard and they have defended really well. They’re at home; we’re only five rounds in, but teams are starting to get a bit itchy, and they want to get wins.
“We’re expecting a really committed team. They’ve got big Sam Lisone there and I’m sure he will fire the boys up.”