Kevin Sinfield NRL offer Leeds Rhinos

Omnisports

September 8, 2016 9:16 AM

Kevin Sinfield said he came "very close" to staying in Australia to play in the NRL for the first time this season.

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Former Leeds Rhinos and England captain Kevin Sinfield has revealed that he rejected an offer to come out of retirement and finish his illustrious rugby league career in the NRL.

Rhinos legend Sinfield called time on his playing days in May after a short spell in rugby union with Yorkshire Carnegie and has since been appointed as rugby director at the Rugby Football League.

Seven-time Super League Grand Final winner Sinfield made in excess of 500 appearances for the Rhinos before ending his long spell at the club last year.

The 35-year-old is a one-club man in league, but was tempted to play in Australia after holding talks with an unnamed club on a recent trip Down Under for a State of Origin game.

"I was very close to staying on," he told BBC Sport.

"I would have loved to have finished the NRL season, but I decided I've had my time."

Sinfield also said he turned his back on a chance to return to Leeds for a role under Brian McDermott.

He added: "It would've been tough to go from poacher to gamekeeper in such a short space of time."

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