Leeds Rhinos Sporting Director, Ian Blease, has spoken about the decision to extend the contract of head coach Brad Arthur, as well as answering questions on a potential move back to the NRL in the future.
Arthur put pen to paper on a new contract at the Rhinos a fortnight ago, as he committed to staying with the club for 2026, with a potential option for 2027 and 2028.
After months of speculation and debate, the former Parramatta Eels coach decided with his family that he would remain in the UK. He has revolutionised Leeds’ style of play, with a focus on toughness and defence, and currently sit in fourth place, two points behind Wigan in second.
Blease had been vocal on wanting the 51-year-old to stay, and has now got his man, something that he is delighted about.
Speaking to Sky Sports’ The Bench podcast, he has commented on how happy he is that Arthur is staying, whilst also mentioning how the agreement took way longer than it should have.
“[I’m] really pleased with it,” said Blease, who gave a rating of 6.5 out of 10 when asked how confident he was of Arthur staying in June. “I was sort of confident when we did the interview last time. Looking back and thinking about how we did it and how close we spoke about it throughout the months leading up to it, me and Brad. So yeah, really pleased to get it over the line. I’ll probably sleep a bit a night now.”
He added: “We both agreed it couldn’t go on any further. I thought I’d been very patient, don’t you think? I got a bit of pressure from you [the media] and the fans were becoming impatient as well, they wanted the answer.”
The deal that Arthur has signed is a one-year contract with a rolling contract extension for two years after. This has provided some speculation on whether Leeds will have the same issues next year, and if a whole other contract saga will take place in 12 months time.
Blease answered: “There’s a couple of things there… we do another 12 months, that’s two and a half years nearly that we’ve had him which I think is good. The other side I thought about, what is a contract worth anyway in this day and age? You could sign a five-year, and eight-year contract and somebody could walk anyway.”
“I said to Brad, if there’s ever a point where you are unhappy, I don’t want to keep any player, or any member of staff here that’s unhappy. In terms of the terms of the contract, I’m okay with that, and we’ll have that honest and open discussion next year.”
Leeds Rhinos Sporting Director talks potential NRL clause and club’s ambitions for remainder of the season
Earlier in the year, when Perth Bears was announced to be the latest NRL team to join the competition in 2027, it was rumoured that Arthur could be heading back to Australia to be their first ever head coach. However, he has decided to stay put, with former Australia Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga taking the job.
Blease stated that whilst there is no direct clause in Arthur contract that will allow him to leave should an NRL team come knocking, he wouldn’t get in his way should that opportunity arise.
“It’s not a release clause, it’s a conversation, said the former Salford Red Devils director. “Everybody does anyway, don’t they? [Speak to NRL teams] Players do and staff do more than I will ever know in terms of people discussing things behind your back, it happens in sport.”
“I trust him honestly enough to say I’m going or I’m staying again.”
The impact that Arthur’s decision has had on the squad is plain to see. A huge victory over Castleford Tigers followed by a dismantling of league leaders Hull KR emphasises how much the current Rhinos playing squad believe in him.
“It’s been great for the boys. The lads who come to see me in my office asking me about the news was great. I knew we’d made the right choice previous to that, because they were all asking me if he was going to stay. That’s had a big impact already, they don’t get carried away.
Now the deal for Arthur is complete, the next goal for Blease and the club is to win some silverware, a feat they haven’t achieved since 2020.
“Winning something. That’s what we’re here to do and that’s what we compete and play for and the players turn out every week for. That’s why I’m here, that’s why Brad’s here, that’s why the players are here.
“They’re playing well. We’ve got a chance to climb the table… I’m pleased with the effort we’ve made this year. Brad’s saying it’s about the physicality and the effort the team are producing, and they are doing that. I don’t think we’ve been beaten heavily. Wakefield at home first game of the season sticks in my mind. Catalans away wasn’t the best performance but that’s a couple in the whole season.”
