Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur and radio presenter Ray Hadley’s impromptu run-in at restaurant

Eels coach Brad Arthur and radio host Ray Hadley have come face-to-face for the first time since their feud reignited in the lead-up to the NRL finals. SEE WHAT HAPPENED.

Brad Arthur and Ray Hadley

Eels coach Brad Arthur and radio host Ray Hadley had an awkward encounter just days out from Parramatta’s historic NRL grand final against Penrith.

The pair made headlines earlier this month when their feud, which has been bubbling on for a number of years, caught fire again when Hadley referenced a leaked internal review at Parramatta that allegedly uncovered issues including claims of nepotism in the Eels pathways.

Without naming anyone, Arthur used the Eels’ semi-final win over Canberra to hit out at people with an “agenda” who he claimed were trying to derail Parramatta’s season.

Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur. Picture: NRL Images

Speaking on The Daily Telegraph NRL Podcast on Thursday, veteran journalist Phil Rothfield revealed the pair had a chance encounter at a restaurant in northwest Sydney on Tuesday,

where there families were each celebrating Arthur’s son Jake, and Hadley, who share the same birthday.

While initially suggesting the feud had been put to bed, Rothfield then said he believed it may have merely been a ceasefire in grand final week.

“Ray Hadley and Brad Arthur — the ugliest feud in rugby league, I think it’s been settled,” Rothfield told The Daily Telegraph NRL Podcast.

“I can tell you they bumped into each other at a restaurant in Bella Vista, called Jags, last Tuesday.

“Bolts (Hadley) was there with his family, it was his birthday, there were grandkids there and it was as pleasant as you could be.

“Then in walks Brad Arthur, and you know whose birthday he was celebrating? Jake’s.

“Bolts isn’t all that talkative when he’s involved in feuds. Apparently Brad walked over, knew it was his birthday and said ‘happy birthday, Ray.’

“And Ray replied ‘good luck in the grand final’ and they shook hands.”

While it was an amicable, meeting, Rothfield said it was rather brief and there was no discussion to clear the air on any issues between the pair.

“Ceasefire is a good word,” he said.

“I think it’s nice, finishing the year off.

2GB radio host Ray Hadley. Picture: AAP Image/Darren England

“I find Brad a very decent fella but Bolts was getting leaked stuff out of there. Not necessarily just directed at Brad, but internally at Parra.

Bit of a coincidence though, hey? Couple of birthdays, same restaurant. They both live out that way, obviously.”

There was no mention of Hadley’s recent criticism of Arthur’s decision not to select forward Nathan Brown, with claims he had been frozen out of the team after questioning Arthur’s selection decisions.

Brown has since been picked to make his NRL return in Sunday’s decider against the Panthers, where his aggression and work rate is expected to test Penrith’s forwards.

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Originally published as Parramatta Eels coach Brad Arthur and radio presenter Ray Hadley’s impromptu run-in at restaurant