Robbo: I need to be better
He was the Red Hill reject. Now Jesse Arthars is Brisbane’s prince of wingers.
Arthars has reflected on his remarkable resurrection at the Broncos as the Maori All Stars ace prepares to run out as Brisbane’s No.1 winger in the NRL’s historic double header in Las Vegas on Sunday.
The omission of 201-game club stalwart Corey Oates in favour of six-match rookie Deine Mariner has confirmed Arthars as the Broncos’ senior winger for their clash with the Roosters at Allegiant Stadium.
But not so long ago, Arthars feared he was permanently headed for the Red Hill exits.
At the end of the 2021 season, Arthars was temporarily released to the Warriors due to a backline of riches that left the Auckland-born flyer struggling to earn regular NRL game time at the Broncos. The move across the ditch triggered the rejuvenation of Arthars, whose five tries in 12 matches demonstrated the class and untapped potential that proved he was not a spent force.
With another 12 months to run on his Broncos deal, Arthars was taken back by coach Kevin Walters and since his return, the 25-year-old has gone to another level with his
After an underwhelming 2023 season, Sydney Roosters coach Trent Robinson has bravely admitted: “I need to be better as a coach.”
He added: “For our standards, we haven’t been good enough.”
Robinson’s American dream is about to start.
In a brutally honest assessment, Robinson said he took time to self-reflect after his side limped into last year’s finals before being eliminated in week two.
The Roosters won a competition just four years ago but Robinson said he needed to be consistency and application. Arthars’ career-best form last season – nine tries from 20 appearances – saw him clinch a three-year extension and he is keen to repay the faith of Walters in the Vegas opener.
“Kevvie put a lot of trust in me last year,” said Arthars, who has fought back well after injuring his ankle in pre-season.
“I just wanted to make sure I repaid the favour to him and all the other boys that wanted me to play as well.
“I wanted to put my best foot forward, but we have another season ahead of us and we are all looking forward to starting here in Vegas, it’s going to be a good one. When I got injured in the pre-season, I was a bit worried, but we got the scans and it wasn’t too bad.
“I am pretty lucky to be over here now. It (his ankle) is back to full strength so I’m looking forward to getting out there.”
Arthars said he had hoped his stint at the Warriors on loan would not represent the end of his Broncos career. “We weren’t going too well as a team and as a club,” he said. “Me going away (to the Warriors) was just an opportunity to have a little fresh start and work on my game, get a few games in grade and that’s what I did.
“Unfortunately, I got a bit injured there, but I always
“the best coach possible and win competitions and I haven’t been doing that lately”.
Robinson was talking from his club’s Los Angeles base ahead of Sunday’s game against Brisbane in Las Vegas.
“You’ve got to be self-reflective enough that you can call wanted to come back to Brisbane. I love this club and I love these boys, I just wanted to work on the things I needed to when I went away and that’s what I did.”
Arthars was one of Brisbane’s surprise packets of the 2023 season. He emerged as Brisbane’s Mr Reliable and was rewarded when veteran winger Oates was sensationally dropped on the eve of the finals in favour of Arthars, who partnered Selwyn Cobbo on the wing in the grand final loss to Penrith.
“That gave me a lot more confidence,” he said of his grand final selection. “Kevvie was believing in me and the boys put the belief in me as well.” yourself out,” he said. “I want to be my best, I want to keep pushing myself and keep learning. I need to get better as a coach and ask what can I do?
“On-field, we have to get back up there. I haven’t been happy with how we’ve been playing so that took a fair bit of reflection at the end of the year.
“I feel like I’ve had a good start (to my career) but I’m hungry for more.
“I’m in the middle of trying to win more competitions, creating a club that is competing every year for premierships and producing great men and women. What more could you ask for as a coach?”
Jacob Gagai is on the verge of completing an NRL debut that no other player in the history of the game has experienced.
If becoming the second oldest Rabbitohs to make their NRL debut isn’t layered with enough emotion, he will achieve his first-grade dream by running out on to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
At 28 years and 66 days old, Gagai is the second oldest Rabbitoh – behind 1998 debutant Simon Forrest – to make his NRL debut.
Offering the finest example of persistence and refusing to give up, Gagai has arrived on a stage that no other rookie has encountered.
“I never would have thought I’d be in America with the boys,’’ Gagai said.
“But all the hard work and sacrifice has been worthwhile.
“On hundred per cent, I had those thoughts (about giving up). In the past year, I found myself just working hard, but not really going anywhere past NSW Cup.
“But luckily I’ve got a strong family and support base behind me to keep pushing me.
“I always knew what I was capable of and my ability and in the end I just didn’t want to turn my back and give up on this dream.
“I don’t know what I would’ve done without rugby league.’’
Gagai, the younger brother of Test, Queensland and Knights centre Dane, gets his shot after impressing head coach Jason Demetriou.