Ex-Leeds Rhinos ace Paul Aiton talks World Cup role, love of England and his aborted Headingley comeback

Aiton played 47 times for Leeds in 2014/2015, having moved across West Yorkshire from Wakefield Trinity.

He then had a spell with Betfred Super League rivals Catalans Dragons before hanging up his boots four years ago following a series of concussions.

But when his former captain Kevin Sinfield returned to Leeds in 2018, after coach Brian McDermott was sacked, he turned to Aiton to help them out of a relegation hole.

The 37-year-old hooker, now assistant-coach to Papua New Guinea who face England in a World Cup quarter-final at Wigan on Saturday, confirmed he was “really close” to returning for a second spell.

“The team was struggling and Kevin Sinfield was coaching director at the time and he called me,” Aiton, who was born in PNG and played for them at Test level, recalled.

“I have such great respect for Kev, when he called I was like ‘it doesn’t matter whether I get paid, I am there”.

“I got married and the next day jumped on a plane and flew to Leeds to see if I could pass all the head tests and stuff.”

In the end, Aiton’s comeback didn’t happen. He added: “It was more towards the concussion stuff, I could have pushed on with it, but then my PNG passport hadn’t arrived yet.

“But I was in Leeds, I went to a game, I was at a hotel, I was looking at accommodation. I was definitely coming back - and if they called me tomorrow I would probably do the same thing! I have nothing but good memories, I will always be there to help Leeds any way I can.”

It is seven years since Aiton played for Rhinos, but he still keeps a close eye on their results and how his previous club Wakefield are doing.

“I have got players I keep in touch with and some officials,” he said. “I have got nothing but fond memories.

“I was so happy I was able to come on this [World Cup] trip because all my memories of the English people and the clubs I was at are tremendous.

“I was at Wakefield and they were at the bottom of the table when I came and I loved it. Then I went to Leeds and they were at the top and I loved it there too.

“There was such a big difference between the two, but I loved both. That’s my memories of being in Super League.”

The World Cup has given Aiton a chance to catch up with some old mates. He added: “I am loving it, just being back in England, I love the place.

“We have been in Warrington, I have never stayed there before and we have been treated like royalty. Everyone’s nice, it is good people here.”

As well as assisting with the national side, Aiton is heavily involved in developing PNG’s domestic game as they work towards the ultimate goal of having a team in the NRL.

“In Australia I am assistant-coach for the PNG Hunters,” Aiton said. “They are a Port Moresby-based team that play in the Queensland Cup.

“The last two years they have been based in Gold Coast, the full team relocated there. We all lived together, two per room, in Gold Coast for two years.

“It was quite tough, but finally we’ve been able to return to Port Moresby so I will be relocating back there for the next two years, with the team.”