Giants get huge fillip as Brown extends his deal

The Australian, who almost returned home last season before performing a U-turn, was thought to be on Penrith Panthers’ list as a replacement for Matthew Elliott.

However, Brown, whose current deal expires this autumn, has signed a 12-month extension to assuage fears he is NRL-bound.

“This is a wonderful fillip for us all as we enter the second half of the season sitting second in Super League and still in the Challenge Cup,” said Giants managing director Richard Thewlis.

“Our progress under Nathan has been excellent and we all feel he can bring silverware to this great club.”

Fears that the 2013 World Cup would suffer a major funding shortfall have been eased after the All-Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group said it had secured confirmation otherwise.

It was thought the tournament, to be hosted by England and Wales, could lose more than £1m as a result of a Government order to the regional development agencies to slash spending ahead of their abolition.

RFL chairman Richard Lewis accused the Government of breaking its promises at the group’s annual dinner at Westminster in January.

However, the group say the North West Development Agency has since agreed to honour its financial commitments.

Part of England’s preparations ahead of the 2013 World Cup is next month’s inaugural International Origin match against the Exiles, who yesterday announced a surprise addition.

Hull FC’s Samoan second-row Willie Manu, who was in England’s training group last year but ultimately failed to make the Four Nations, has been picked by Exiles coach Brian McClennan along with Francis Meli.

Manu, 31, who qualifies for England through residency, was not in the original 34-man squad but has replaced Huddersfield’s injured David Fa’alogo.

“I have a point to prove to Steve McNamara that I can play at this level and stand-out,” he said.

Your chance to win signed England and Exiles shirts in tomorrow’s Yorkshire Post.