BRAD ARTHUR celebrates the two-year anniversary of his first Leeds Rhinos game on Monday, and the coach says there is now a united front from the top to the bottom of the Headingley club.
Arthur was appointed on a short-term deal in the summer of 2024, with his first game a 20-12 home defeat to Hull KR, which left them seventh in the table.
While he was unable to succeed in his short-term mission of achieving a play-off spot – indeed, they fell a further place to eighth by the season’s end – the Australian did enough to show he was capable of turning the club around.
He has since overseen an impressive upturn in fortunes, finishing fourth last season and now seeing them topping the table while they are favourites to land the League Leaders’ Shield.
Whether or not the Rhinos can make it all the way to Old Trafford and lift the Grand Final trophy for the first time since 2017 remains to be seen, but Arthur’s impact has not gone unnoticed.
At the beginning of his reign, the former Parramatta Eels coach posed questions to every player and staff member at Headingley.
Arthur, who last month signed a contract extension through to the end of 2028, has revealed that everyone sang off the same hymn sheet right from the start.
“When I first got here and asked a lot of questions, the one thing that was consistent was that every player and staff member went down the same path,” Arthur said.
“They wanted higher standards and expectations and wanted to be held more accountable. But it’s easier to say that than it is to deliver it.
“You can buy into it for a little while but you’ve got to be able to handle the truth. It takes a bit of tough love and cuddling at the same time.
“Everyone’s responses have been pleasantly enjoyable and surprising – that’s what I’ve really enjoyed.
“It’s a club that just wanted to do better and everyone is doing their bit for it.
“The club has made my family feel welcome and I feel like I belong, which is a factor in why I stayed.”