BRAD ARTHUR has admitted that he “underestimated” Super League after spending the last 16 months with Leeds Rhinos.
Arthur served 11 years in the NRL with Parramatta Eels, making it to a Grand Final, but was axed midway through the 2024 campaign.
That year proved to be a whirlwind for the Australian, with Leeds inquiring about a short-term deal for the remainder of the season before Arthur signed an extended deal for 2025.
Now Arthur, who has recommitted for at least another season at the Rhinos, has reflected on the quality of Super League.
“It’s improving. There are some really high-quality games and then there’s been some games that dropped off towards the end of the year with teams out of contention,” Arthur told The Daily Telegraph.
“But there were plenty of results that you wouldn’t have picked. If you don’t turn up on the day you get beaten.
“I probably underestimated and probably disrespected it, not knowing a lot about it, sitting back in Australia. I didn’t really take much notice of it. But since I’ve come over here, (I’ve seen) a lot of good players here that could cut it in the NRL.”
Though Arthur is enjoying his time thoroughly at Headingley, he has never been shy about expressing his desire to coach in the NRL.
“My life is in Australia, that’s the big part of it. I know Jake (Arthur, a new Hull FC signing) is over here so I’ve got more family around me but it’s hard being away from Australia, where everything is right there and convenient,” he continued.
“In 12 months’ time, I will be ready to go again. I know the mistakes that I got wrong but I wouldn’t be starting as a rookie again. I got thrown in the deep-end at a big club with a lot of pressure and expectations.
“I’m in a different stage of my life now where my kids are older and grown-up so moving around and starting at a new club wouldn’t bother me. There’s no job in the game that worries me or feels like I can’t do. At some stage I would like to get back into it, yeah.”