Headingley faithful set for early look at Rhinos recruit Aiton

The 28-year-old was unveiled at Headingley Carnegie yesterday, taking time out from the Kumuls’ World Cup camp to confirm the switch.

Leeds fans will get an early look at the former Cronulla man, too, with PNG set to face New Zealand in their final group game at Headingley on Friday.

Aiton joined Wakefield from the Sharks ahead of the 2012 season and has been one of their outstanding players ever since, winning the ‘Player of the Year’ award in 2013.

“I am delighted that we have agreed the deal to bring Paul to Headingley,” said Leeds coach Brian McDermott.

“He has a wealth of experience both from the NRL and here in Super League with Wakefield and is performing on the highest stage as captain of his country in the World Cup.”

Aiton joins Hull’s Tom Briscoe and Hunslet’s Andy Yates in joining Leeds, with his arrival teeing up the departure of hooker Paul McShane, who has asked to leave.

“I am very happy to be joining the Rhinos,” said Aiton, who has transferred for an undisclosed fee.

“I would like to thank everyone connected with Wakefield for making me feel so welcome over the last two years and I am pleased that both clubs have come to an agreement that means I can join Leeds.

“You only need to look at how many of the Rhinos team are in the current England squad to see the quality that is here at the club and I am excited about the future.”

Aiton could well make his Leeds debut in a friendly against former employers Wakefield which has been arranged for Boxing Day.

World Cup giant-killers USA were winners again last night after the Cook Islands became the second team to be eliminated from the tournament.

Tonga’s thrilling 22-16 victory at Leigh Sports Village kept alive their hopes of topping Group C while the Cook Islands’ second consecutive defeat means the USA Tomahawks are guaranteed to finish top of Group D.

That almost certainly means an unlikely quarter-final for the Americans with tournament favourites Australia in Wrexham on November 16.

The result was cruel on Cook Islands winger Chris Taripo, who scored all his side’s points and delighted the stadium-record crowd of 8,544 with a superb hat-trick of tries that earned him the man-of-the-match award.

The Cook Islands conceded the game’s first try to second rower Sika Manu after six minutes but the excellent Taripo went over for two tries in seven minutes and also kicked a goal to put his side 10-6 up.

The Newtown Jets player twice demonstrated clinical finishing after kicks from Isaac John and Drury Low prized open the Tongan defence.

The underdogs were good value for their lead but they were powerless to stop rampaging forward Jason Taumololo, who crashed over for a 31st-minute try to restore Tonga’s lead, and blockbusting centre Konrad Hurrell, who bashed his way over for a third try just before half-time.

Sydney Roosters stand-off Samsoni Langi kicked three goals as the Tongans led 18-10 at the break. The Cook Islands never gave up hope, however, and forced Tonga into some desperate defence in an enthralling final quarter.