Leeds boss Brad Arthur admits learning the hard way that coaching is serious
BRAD Arthur knows turning Leeds around is a serious job – being ordered to stop joking around early in his career taught him that.
And he knows how important everyone is at Headingley, even down to the bars’ cellar staff. He has done it himself, after juggling part-time jobs including a milk round.
The Australian looks increasingly likely to stay on at the Rhinos after signing until the end of the season. Wife Michelle’s arrival on Saturday should decide his 2025 destination.
And the attitude he has already instilled after just four games comes from learning the hard way at Batemans Bay Tigers and Cairns Brothers.
He recalled about taking his first job aged 23: “Batemans Bay saw me move away from home for the first time – my first 12 months weren’t great, though. I didn’t take it seriously enough.
“I was having a good time – I was more interested in having a good time – and the club gave me a kick up the backside. They didn’t take me there for that.
“From there, we went from losing every game to being one game from playing in the Grand Final. It was a bug part of moulding me and making me be serious about what I want in my career.
“Then I saw an ad in the paper. Went up to Cairns for a visit and ended up staying for eight years, that’s where I met my wife and the kids were born there.
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“For my first two years there I had a part-time job – I did a milk run, worked as a gardener. I did everything!
“Then the club gave me a role looking after sponsorship, a bit of cellar work and looking after the grounds – so I was nearly full-time there as coach too.
“I lifted the professionalism there, did stats and video for the first time. It was really good and now they win titles every year.
“But after Cairns, I know that while the players and coaches get the accolades for performances, but there are many people who do plenty to allow us to do our jobs properly – the office people, ladies who hand out the programmes as you walk through the gate.
“And that grounding makes me understand players as people too. I’ve had to learn that as I’ve developed as a coach – when I first came to the NRL, I was all about the Xs and the Os. I’ve had to learn what makes players tick.
“That helps me have a better relationship with them, so they know that when I have to be honest and firm with them it’s coming from the right place.”
Arthur’s work was obviously noticed as he landed a job at NRL side Melbourne Storm before coaching Parramatta Eels for 10 years.
Now he is already making an impact at the Rhinos, who face Warrington across the city at Elland Road at Magic Weekend on Saturday.
Leeds can still make the play-offs this year and hopes are rising he will be around for next year too, providing Michelle gives the OK.
And life in England, away from rugby as much as on it, is suiting him, thanks to a few guided tours from chief executive Gary Hetherington.
Arthur, 50, added: “It’s taken me out of my comfort zone as I’ve never lived away from family or been away from my wife for this long before.
“My wife’s been into me about a bit of culture, so Gary has taken me out to a few places and showed me around a bit.
“I’ve challenged myself and I’m really enjoying working with different players. I’ve got to make sure I’m listening, however. Every now and then I’ve got to check what they were saying!
“But I’ve got around it and I’m learning about different people, their mannerisms and how they behave – that’s a big part of the coaching side too. How do different players respond?
“I’ve been honest the whole way through that I want to coach in the NRL but I’m a realist and don’t feel like there will be an NRL job there for me next year.
“Michelle gets here on Saturday and I suppose she’s going to be the last piece of it now to make sure she’s comfortable.”