Why Brad Arthur’s lack of Super League knowledge is a positive for Leeds Rhinos

He has extensive experience as a head coach, taking charge of the Parramatta Eels more than 250 times in 12 seasons in the NRL, but the move to the northern hemisphere is one he hadn’t made before this move to Leeds.

He also had roles with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Melbourne Storm, Cairns Brothers and Batesman Bay Tigers in Australia.

Now he is tasked with the difficult job of securing a top-six finish with Leeds in Super League – and therefore a place in the play-offs.

Asked how good his knowledge of Super League was in his first official pre-match press conference as head coach of Leeds Rhinos, he said: “Probably not as well as you guys, but I see that as a little advantage. , because I don’t have to worry about fixing or improving other teams, I have to worry about my own team.”

Why Brad Arthur’s lack of Super League knowledge is a positive for Leeds Rhinos

Credit: Imago Images

He continued, detailing the reasons why his lack of knowledge may be a good thing.

He said: “I need to know more about them and what it forces me to do is really focus on what our game looks like and when we put on the Leeds Rhino shirt, what style of football we play.

“By the end of the 10 weeks I want that to be really distinct to everyone who follows us and we shouldn’t be identified or determined by our colours, it should be the style of football we play.

“It (the gaps in Super League knowledge) forces me to focus and put more focus on the guys who need it and the club that needs it, which is us.

“There are some quality players in this squad, if we can play better football then teams will have to worry about trying to beat us instead of worrying about beating ourselves.”

His first game in charge will be against Hull KR at Headingley on Saturday at 3pm.