New Leeds deal for Delaney

Leeds back-rower Brett Delaney has signed a new three-year contract extension to keep him at Headingley until the end of 2015.

Delaney, 26, joined the Rhinos from Gold Coast Titans in 2010, and has appeared in two Challenge Cup finals and last year’s victorious Super League Grand Final.

He said: “I am really happy with how things have gone for me since I came to Leeds. I am really settled here now so when I spoke to Gary Hetherington about a new contract it was a pretty easy decision for me.

“I will be 30 at the end of this deal and if I enjoy the next four years as much as I have enjoyed the last two, it will be a special part of my life.”

Delaney, who has also previously played for Parramatta Eels, has scored 12 tries in 47 appearances for the Rhinos, including one in Friday’s opening Super League victory over Hull KR.

Head Coach Brian McDermott said: “Brett is still young enough for us to do lots of improvement with him. He has really bought into the Leeds culture which is rare these days for overseas players, who generally only come for short spells at clubs. 

“He is a back rower who can play in the centres rather than a centre who can play in the back row and I am sure he will be a big part of our squad in the years ahead.”

Delaney had originally been signed by Leeds as a centre, to plug the gap left by Lee Smith, who had left to switch codes with London Wasps, before eventually returning to Headingley.