Head coach Brad Arthur admits the desire to return to the NRL still burns within him after signing a new 12-month extension with Leeds Rhinos.
Arthur announced his decision on Monday, agreeing to remain in charge at Headingley into next season with a rolling contract in place heading into 2027 and beyond should he wish to take it up. The news came as a huge boost for Leeds and the club’s fans, who are delighted with the job Arthur has done in Super League over the last 12 months.
After taking the reins of an underperforming team, Arthur has transformed the Rhinos into contenders, with the club currently in fifth with six games remaining. A play-off spot is all but assured and a place in the top two isn’t out of reach just yet as the club bid to finish as high up the table as possible.
Arthur’s focus is on Leeds and Super League and it will be for a little while longer yet. But, he has never been shy about his desire to return down under at some point in the next few years and despite agreeing to another year in West Yorkshire, he still harbours that NRL ambition.
Leeds Rhinos boss speaks out on his NRL desire
“Vossy, it does,” Arthur said to Andrew Voss on SEN Breakfast when asked if his desire to coach in the NRL still burns bright.
“I feel like I’ve learnt a lot and I probably didn’t learn from some of the mistakes I made along the way until I actually got over here and reflected back on a few things.
“It’s a tough gig in the NRL, and it doesn’t take any passengers. I was pretty proud of my situation, I took over a club that had won a couple of wooden spoons and we got to a period where we were week two finalists four years in a row and then got to a Grand Final.
“I’ve still got that desire. There’s a few things that I’ve learned that I could adjust if I come back home eventually and I want to have a crack at going one better and try to win an NRL competition.”
On his decision to stay at Headingley, Arthur explained publicly for the first time: “There are a lot of good people at the Rhinos and I’ve really enjoyed my time here.
“I felt I could make a difference with this group. I feel like we are getting better and the buy-in from the players.
“They are growing this confidence and riding this wave. I have been looking with my daughter at universities (in the UK) so I was ready to commit to Leeds for another 12 months.”
