Brad Arthur's recruitment discussions suggest long-term Leeds Rhinos stay on the agenda

Leeds Rhinos' Sporting Director Ian Blease has not ruled out Brad Arthur's time as Leeds Rhinos head coach lasting longer than the remainder of the season. The Australian has been confirmed as the club's new head coach, but only until the end of the season.

The former Parramatta Eels boss currently has interest from the NRL but this move provides him with an opportunity to return to coaching now, while also potentially having a look at the Rhinos as a more permanent move for his career. Of course, having Arthur take charge in the short-term gives Leeds a chance to look at him as a fit for the club, too.

Appointing a coach for such a short period of time is an unusual route, but Blease believes it is best for all parties, and could be extended if it fits for everyone.

“The long-term objective of securing the head coach is still ongoing," he said. "Brad has put his hand up and said he can come for a short interim period but also available for a long-term period if necessary, which is a good arrangement for us as a club as it gives me time to do more work on a long-term vision.

"We're still talking about that, there are rumours about him and he's admitted to me he still rates himself as an NRL coach and that's good for him. There will be options for him in the future. All options are open at this moment. "

Blease gave further indications that Arthur could be looking at the club as a long-term option after admitting they had engaged in recruitment conversations and squad planning moving forward. Arthur has even suggested players would be keen to join him at Headingley moving forward.

“We’ve had conversations about that, bizarrely, this morning before he boarded the plane about players wanting to come and join him,” Blease said. “We’ve got a tight cap and I need to look at that but I’m sure there’ll be some advice. I’ve spent my life learning off people. We'll work together on that, definitely."

That said, Blease said it would be "jumping the gun" to suggest other candidates were no longer being considered and that work would continue behind the scenes.

"We are still having other conversations with other coaches," he said. "There are a number of hoops to jump through and processes to go through. I’m well on the track with doing that but that will stay within the club.”