NOBODY could ever tell Brad Arthur that he doesn’t love rugby league.

Even on his day off, the Parramatta coach can be found handing out oranges and filling up water bottles.

For the past three years, the NRL coach has guided the under-12s Rouse Hill Rhinos.

News_Image_File: Brad Arthur coaches the Rouse Hill Rhinos. Picture: Brett Costello

News_Image_File: Brad Arthur coaches the Rouse Hill Rhinos. Picture: Brett Costello

Last Saturday at Crestwood Oval, the mercy rule was introduced as Arthur’s undefeated Rhinos took care of a courageous Baulkham Hills 50-0.

In the cut-throat world of rugby league and in an era where NRL coaches would prefer to spend their spare time analysing footage in a dark room or measuring statistics on colour-coded spreadsheets, Arthur is the antithesis of the modern-day coach.

News_Image_File: Brad Arthur coaches the Rouse Hill Rhinos. Picture: Brett Costello

So passionate about his role as mentor to the young Rhinos, Arthur stopped short of having a clause to coach the under-12s written into his contract when he first signed with Parramatta last year.

But in the rare event of the Eels board frowning upon their new coach being distracted by something else other than reviving the blue and gold’s fortunes, Arthur says they probably wouldn’t have stopped him, even if they’d tried.

News_Image_File: Jake Arthur, son of Parramatta Eels NRL coach Brad Arthur. Picture: Brett Costello

“When I signed I think they knew that I had previously coached the kids, even when I was given the six weeks (in 2012), I was still coaching the kids then,’’ Arthur said.

“I think the club saw it as a good thing, they really embraced it and the junior league embraced it as well.

“And it’s not just about the Rouse Hill Rhinos either, the whole of the Parramatta area is my nursery.

“I need to be running my eye over all the kids and all the clubs.

“I hope that one day, the kids I’m seeing play now can come through our system and play for Parramatta with hopefully me still there as head coach.’’

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Arthur has missed one game all year for the Rhinos, when he was in Townsville with the Eels taking on North Queensland in round eight.

“But I’ve got a really good bunch of dads there who all the kids enjoy being coached by too,’’ Arthur said.

“At the end of the day, I’m passionate about the game. I love seeing the kids play with their mates and watching the enjoyment on their faces.

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“It’s a part of the weekend I really enjoy.’’

On Monday night the roles will reverse for Arthur, with his under-12s supporting their coach and his Eels from the sideline as they face Cronulla at Pirtek Stadium.

“It’s an important match for us,’’ Arthur said.