Leeds Rhinos Head Coach Debate: Wilkin Prefers Paul Rowley Over Brad Arthur

New Leeds Rhinos Coach Faces Skepticism, Rowley Remains Top Target

Sky Sports pundit Jon Wilkin believes that new Leeds Rhinos head coach Brad Arthur is not the long-term solution for the struggling Super League club. Wilkin thinks Salford Red Devils boss Paul Rowley will still be the Rhinos’ top target for the 2025 season.

Arthur was appointed by Leeds earlier this week to replace fellow Australian Rohan Smith at the Headingley helm, but he has only been brought in on a contract until the end of the current season. The Rhinos’ decision to opt for a short-term deal has done little to curb speculation around Rowley, who previously worked alongside Leeds’ Sporting Director Ian Blease at Salford.

“He’ll come in and improve standards, and no doubt he’ll ask questions of his players physically and culturally, but certain things take time to develop,” the former St Helens star said. “He’s not the answer long-term, and I think he’ll have an eye on a job back in the NRL, perhaps with a new franchise that’s being talked about.”

Wilkin remains convinced that Rowley is the man Leeds should be targeting as their long-term solution, stating emphatically:

“I still think Paul Rowley is the man (for Leeds). Paul Rowley is their man.”

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