BRAD Arthur insisted Leeds Rhinos’ winning culture is being driven by the players rather than him after they vaulted into the race for a top-two finish with a 28-6 rout of Betfred Super League leaders Hull KR.
Thursday night’s Round 23 opener at AMT Headingley saw the Rhinos claim another victory over the Robins after beating them at Sewell Group Craven Park last month and move level on points with second-placed Wigan Warriors, who host Wakefield Trinity on Sunday.
Head coach Arthur, who extended his stay at Leeds until at least the end of 2026 just under two weeks ago, played down his impact at the eight-time Super League champions and instead deflected praise onto the players for embracing the messaging from the coaching staff.
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“I think the players are doing that,” Arthur told Sky Sports. “I just set some standards, and then they’ve got to want to buy into it and drive it.
“We’re just nice and clear about what our expectations are, what it looks like playing in a Leeds Rhinos jersey, and it’s up to the players to drive that.
“I can’t do that, they have to do that and own it. They need to want to do it and they’re doing it.”
Tries from Jake Connor, Presley Cassell, Lachie Miller and Harry Newman, plus six goals from Connor, set Leeds on course for a memorable win over this year’s Betfred Challenge Cup winners.
Prop Keenan Palasia was named player of the match for laying the foundation with his work in the middle, though, after covering 132 metres with an average gain of seven metres per carry and making 21 tackles in defence.
The 28-year-old Samoa international was praised by Arthur for stepping up as pack leader and intimidator against Hull KR, and agreed with his coach that the players have taken on board what is expected of them.
“I think attitude is probably our best aspect,” Palasia told Sky Sports.
“Our effort and attitude are what we thrive off and everything else comes down to the coaches setting an example.
“We just have to follow it.”
Palasia played down the significance of the win over Hull KR in grander scheme of Leeds’ season, while Arthur claimed he was not thinking about a possible top-two finish.
He does, however, have making certain of at least one home game in the Super League play-offs at the forefront of his mind, which they are currently on course for with five games remaining.
“I hope they’re going to enjoy the feeling they get [from beating Hull KR], especially with our very vocal support we have at home,” Arthur said.
“We should be working extremely hard to get a final here – that’s what we need to be doing.”
