Brad Arthur’s first impressions of Leeds Rhinos were hardly encouraging.Cold, jet-lagged and watching his new side trail 24-4 at Warrington Wolves, the Australian was left wondering what he had signed up for.What followed convinced him that the Rhinos were a club worth investing in.”I can remember the first day I got here at Warrington,” said Arthur ahead of the second anniversary of his first game in charge.”I’d just got off the plane. I was cold, I was tired and we weren’t that great in the first half. I was wondering what I’d got myself in for.”But I saw plenty of fight and courage in the team in the second half. That was enough for me to know there was more than enough to work with.”I asked a lot of questions and everyone I spoke to wanted higher standards and expectations and to be held more accountable.”It’s easy to say that and harder to deliver on it. It takes a lot of hard work, tough love and cuddling at times. Everyone’s response has been pleasantly enjoyable and surprising.Brad Arthur pictured at Warrington shortly after his arrival in July 2024. (Photo: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)”The bit I’ve really enjoyed is being at a club that just wanted to do better.”Two years on, Leeds have gone from play-off outsiders to League Leaders’ Shield favourites under Arthur’s guidance.The eight-time champions hold a two-point advantage at the top of Super League with mouthwatering games against Wakefield Trinity, Leigh Leopards and Wigan Warriors still to come.Arthur, however, is refusing to look beyond Sunday’s West Yorkshire derby at Castleford Tigers.The Rhinos are the team to beat in Super League right now. (Photo: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)”I’m only really worried about the road to Castleford,” he insisted.”We’ve got a few home games and a few away games. We’ve changed a few things for away games that seem to be working at the moment. We’ll continue to go down that path and we enjoy playing at home so we’ve got a good balance of games left.”But nine games is still a long way. Things can chop and change in the table really quickly. We’re aware of that, without having to talk about it.”Our focus is just on being a reliable team on a weekly basis. We’re doing that at the minute but you only need one week of not being reliable and you can start to have question marks.Leeds beat Castleford comfortably in March. (Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com)”Castleford will throw everything into it.”While Leeds have built their title challenge on consistency, the Tigers have struggled to produce it from one week to the next.Castleford have mixed statement wins over Wigan and St Helens with a string of heavy defeats, among them those to Warrington and the Hull clubs.If ever there were an occasion for Castleford to show their best side, this is it.”Leeds are the benchmark,” acknowledged Carr. “There’s no better way to test yourself than against the team coming first so I’m excited.”They compete really hard, work hard for each other and come at you for the full 80. They definitely don’t take a play off and that’s why they are where they are on the table.Castleford are set for their biggest crowd of the season. (Photo: Olly Hassell/SWpix.com)”They’ve got strike, they’ve got power and a good balance in everything they’re doing at the moment.”We’re at home. It’ll be a bumper crowd here and an unreal atmosphere. We’ll get good weather and it’ll be a good day.”It’s what you play for. It’s what you’re here for.”There have been more bad days than good during Carr’s first season in charge, leaving the Tigers chasing promoted trio Toulouse Olympique, York Knights and Bradford Bulls with a third of the campaign remaining.But with more high-profile signings on the way and steady progress behind the scenes, there is growing optimism about the club’s long-term prospects.A date with the Rhinos in front of a packed house at Wheldon Road could provide a window into Castleford’s future.”That’s our vision,” said Carr, who has this week added Robbie Mulhern, Alfie Johnson and Tyrell Sloan to his new-look squad for 2027. “That’s our goal as a club – from board level down to playing level – and where we need to get to.”We’ve got a passionate rugby league community here in Cas. We’re a one-club town and have to make sure that our fans are proud to come and watch us play and support us.”That’s our job – to play well and make that happen. It’s definitely something we want to try and make a common thing for us moving forward.”
Castleford Tigers v Leeds Rhinos – Brad Arthur recalls moment he knew he could transform fallen Super League heavyweights
