2 weeks Ago
Former Eels coach Brad Arthur is set to return to the NRL landscape, with the Leeds Rhinos mentor the preferred candidate to lead the competition’s 18th team. On Thursday, the ARL commission agreed in principle to the Western Australian government’s revised offer for an NRL franchise to be based in Perth. That means the Bears are all but confirmed to enter the competition in 2027 with the new PNG team to join a year later.
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Code Sports have reported that Arthur is firming to be the man tasked with leading the Bears’ return to the top grade. Other coaches which were reportedly considered by WA chiefs included Craig Bellamy and former Souths mentor Jason Demetriou according to Code Sports. Arthur is contracted with the Rhinos until the end of this season, meaning he will essentially transition straight into his new role when the Super League season finishes.
That will give him just over a year to build his roster and shape a team ready to take on the competition in 2027. Since his dismissal from the Eels 12 months ago, Arthur has been looking for a return to the NRL. The Perth-based job is one he desired if a team from Western Australia was ever given a licence as his wife has family in the state.
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