Leeds Rhinos dealt Brad Arthur blow as NRL side also consider Sam Burgess

[josie andrews]

Leeds Rhinos’ head coach Brad Arthur is reportedly “set to be unveiled” as the head coach of Western Bears, the proposed Perth-based 18th NRL team, when they are officially signed off on.

That’s according to The Daily Telegraph whilst another outlet Down Under has named Arthur as “frontrunner” for the role as Perth are set to become the NRL’s 18th team.

The NRL has recently added The Dolphins as the 17th team and a Papua New Guinea-based side has already been green lighted, but the Western Bears could enter before them as the 18th side.

Expectations are that the team will launch from the 2027 NRL season making the job of hiring a coach to oversee the squad-building and foundations, set in 2026, an urgent one.

Leeds Rhinos’ Brad Arthur has been identified by those at the club as the ‘preferred’ candidate whilst The Sydney Morning Herald have revealed that Arthur and his wife have bought a property in Perth.

Arthur joined the Headingley club on an initial 10-game deal as he took charge until the end of the 2024 season before signing a one-year extension, however, he has not signed a deal beyond the end of this year and constantly reminded everyone of his NRL ambitions – which seem they could be fulfilled with a role at Perth.

Leeds Rhinos boss confirms interest in newest NRL job

Whilst the Herald revealed that Arthur had purchased a property in Perth last November, they also spoke with the Australian head coach about the potential role.


“I’ve got a property on the Gold Coast as well, have you got me coaching the Titans, too?”, Arthur responded when asked about that property purchase.

“Michelle is from Perth, she still has family in Perth. We decided to buy an investment property there after selling another property that we owned.”

He did confirm his interest in the Perth job though and underlined his intent to return to the NRL as a head coach.

Arthur said: “Would I like the Perth job? Of course. I feel I have proven that I can build a club from the ground up, because that’s what we had to do when I started at Parramatta. But this is all premature … But if you’re asking me if I would be interested, then yes, I would be.”

It was also revealed by the Herald that Warrington Wolves’ Sam Burgess is being considered for the role, but the experience of Arthur is seemingly preferred. Former St Helens boss Justin Holbrook is also a name in consideration.

The Australian Rugby League Commission have agreed in principle a revised proposal from the Western Australia government to launch an NRL team in Perth, making it likely they will join the competition from 2027.

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/rugby-le ... ss-103834/

[the pieman]

Why consider Burgess, because he's got an illustrious playing career. He's not exactly setting the world on fire at Wire at the minute is he. After a good start last season, its been downhill since, and there is only so much you can do with an aura, if you dont have the coaching skills to get the best out of your players