The 2026 campaign didn’t end how he wanted to, but Leeds Rhinos boss Brad Arthur is taking “nothing but positives” into pre-season.

For much of the year Rhinos looked on course for a place in Saturday’s Betfred Super League Grand Final, but that dream ended when they were controversially beaten 14-12 by Warrington Wolves in last Friday’s qualifying play-off. That was their fourth successive home defeat and Leeds won only two of their last six matches.

After a largely clean bill of health for most of the year, Rhinos went into the semi-final without Danny Levi, Lachie Miller, Ash Handley, Jack Bird, Maika Sivo and Chris Hankinson from their first-choice 17. Sivo, having recovered from a broken arm, suffered a dislocated shoulder in the final training session and Hankinson pulled out after the warm-up with a foot injury.

Despite the setbacks, Leeds pushed Warrington all the way before being beaten by a hotly-contested penalty goal 15 minutes from time. Arthur was delighted with the young players called into the side, Fergus McCormack, Ned McCormack and Riley Lumb and felt Rhinos’ battling performance gave them something to build on when preparations begin for 2027.

Experienced gained this year by young players, including Fergus McCormack, pictured, will stand Leeds Rhinos in good stead for the future, coach Brad Arthur reckons. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

placeholder image — Experienced gained this year by young players, including Fergus McCormack, pictured, will stand Leeds Rhinos in good stead for the future, coach Brad Arthur reckons. Picture by Allan McKenzie/SWpix.com.

'Huge disappointment' but Leeds Rhinos 'heading in right direction' says departi...

“I think it has been a really good year for us,” he said. “I am so glad the boys had plenty of want and fight and desire [in the semi-final]. If we are going to lose, that’s the way we need to lose, with a bit of character and dignity.”

Arthur, who praised Warrington for “fighting hard and playing well”, refused to use injuries as an excuse for Leeds’ disappointing end to the campaign. They led the table for much of the year, but eventually finished second, four points behind Wigan Warriors.

“We could feel sorry for ourselves, but I am just proud of the boys,” he insisted. “They didn’t give in, fought hard, kept believing and showed plenty of character.

Coach Brad Arthur has wished all Leeds Rhinos' departing players - including Cameron Smith, seen during last week's semi-final defeat by Warrington Wolves - well for the future. Picture by Steve Riding.

“It is good signs for the club moving forward. We had some young guys out there and they stepped up and did their job, so for me it is nothing but positives.

“I know our last couple of games at home we haven’t got the result, but our fans have been great. They have stuck solid and supported us and that’s what we need. I certainly believe the club is heading in the right direction and I feel like we’ve shown that.

“I know a Grand Final probably should have been the minimum for us, for what we’ve done throughout the year, but I don’t think we could have done much more [in last week’s game] in the circumstances.”

Six of Rhinos’ semi-final team won’t be at the club next year, with Harry Newman, Brodie Croft, Mikolaj Oledzki, James McDonnell, Cameron Smith and Ned McCormack all having signed elsewhere. “It’s just what happens, it is hard to keep everyone,” Arthur stressed.

Coach Brad Arthur is upbeat about Leeds Rhinos' future. Picture by Matthew Merrick/SWpix.com.

“I am just upset for those guys. It would have been nice to send them out in a better way. They are disappointed, but we wish them the best in what the future holds for them and we know our future as a club is going to be strong.”