JAKE Connor believes Brad Arthur’s impact at Leeds Rhinos will still be felt even if he does not stay on as head coach beyond this season.
Arthur has previously spoken of his desire to return to Australia for family reasons and is yet to make a decision on whether to extend his stay at AMT Headingley beyond 2025.
The 50-year-old was last week linked with taking charge of the NRL’s expansion franchise in Perth when it joins the competition in 2027 as well and while Connor hopes he will remain at Leeds, he is in no doubt the lessons from him will stay with the squad whether he is there or not.
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Ending Day One with a Rhinos victory
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“I’d love him to stay,” Connor told Sky Sports. “I said to a few of the boys, he’ll be the best coach some of them will ever have.
“But the things we’ve learnt of him if he does go will stay with this team for a very long time.”
The Rhinos moved up to fourth in Super League after battling to a 17-4 win over St Helens in the last match of Magic Weekend day one at Newcastle’s St James’ Park on Saturday, with Connor being named player of the match.
The 30-year-old has enjoyed something of a renaissance in a Rhinos shirt after two mostly forgettable seasons back at Huddersfield Giants and has been entrusted with a role in the halves recently, although Arthur believes he Connor still has more to give.
“We just continually challenge him around the things he can control, which is his effort areas,” Arthur told Sky Sports.
“At the back end of the game last week, we singled him out for walking a little bit and tonight he didn’t walk, he was moving all the time.
“He’s got football skill and nous that he’s has his whole life, he doesn’t need any coaching from me in that aspect.
“He’s still learning that role as a halfback and at times we’d probably just like a little more control.”
Connor was quick to praise Arthur for helping him personally as well.
“He’s been unreal for me,” Connor said. “He’s probably change my career form round.
“He doesn’t put too much pressure on me, but it’s just the way he plays and his gameplan.
“He likes to free me up. It’s probably me that’s not doing that to myself at the moment, I’d like to play a bit more free.
“It’s probably in those situations I need to learn from, but he’s given me that creativity and he’s been unreal for me.”
ST HELENS 4 (M Whitley try) lost to LEEDS RHINOS 17 (R Lumb, L Miller, M Gannon tries, L Miller 2 goals, J Sinfield 1 drop goal)
Referee: Jack Smith
