Leeds Rhinos coach Brad Arthur has admitted his side’s impressive form is making a decision on his future more difficult.
The former Parramatta Eels coach is out of contract at the end of this season and keen for a return to the southern hemisphere NRL, where his sons Matt and Jake both play.
Arthur was favourite to be appointed coach of new NRL club Perth Bears, who will join the Aussie competition in 2027, but that role looks set to go to Australia national boss Mal Meninga, raising hopes the 51-year-old might stay with Leeds Rhinos.
Appointed last July, Arthur has steered Rhinos to third place in Betfred Super League after 13 rounds, which is their best position at the midway point since 2017 and they are on a four-game winning run following last Saturday’s 22-18 defeat of Wakefield Trinity.
But Gold Coast Titans are the latest club to be linked with Arthur in the Aussie media and he stressed he is still mulling over his plans for 2026.
“I’ve said all the way through, the only decision I have got to make is my family,” Arthur stated after Saturday’s game.
“That’s the only thing that is holding me back. I really like the club – they keep buying in, playing well and winning.
“It’s not even the winning, but the buy-in all the time. It does make it [a decision on his future] hard, but at the end of the day, I have got to be a family person and I feel like I’m not doing that.”
Brad Arthur explains when he will confirm his Leeds Rhinos’ future
Rhinos have not given Arthur a deadline and won’t begin a serious search for a replacement until or unless his departure is confirmed.
But with half the 2025 season completed, the clock is ticking and he accepts a decision will have to be made sooner rather than later.
Arthur admitted: “When Bleasey [an Blease, Leeds’ sporting director] pushes me for an answer, I’ll have to give him one.”
Though Rhinos – who haven’t qualified for the play-offs since 2022 – are anxious for Arthur to build on the work he has done over the past 12 months, he played down his role in their resurgence.
“It’s not me,” he insisted. “We have got great staff here, there is a good playing group and it’s well run, so it is the club. I am just a person who is helping that at the moment. The club is bigger than the coach.”
