Craig Gower extends London stay

Former Australia scrum half Craig Gower has signed a contract extension at London Broncos.

Gower, 34, made 28 appearances in his first season in the capital, and will now remain at the club until the end of the 2014 season.

He said: “We’re settled here, I spoke to the club and they were willing to give me another year which was great.

“Obviously last season was a tough season but we love being here and we’ve enjoyed it, even though it was a tough grind it’s just part of footy. I’m just looking forward to this year.

“That’s the benefit of having a group that’s a year older and hopefully we can respond to that and play a lot more consistent football over the entire year.”

Gower, who looks set to play for Italy in the World Cup next year, won 18 caps for Australia before switching codes to play rugby union in 2008. During his time in the other code, he won 13 international caps for Italy.

He played more than 230 games in the NRL for Penrith Panthers, and also represented New South Wales five times in State of Origin.

Broncos head coach Tony Rea said: “Craig displays terrific appetite for the game and towards training and preparation.

“Some people might query signing a player of his age but the fact he played every game apart from one last year is better evidence than his birth certificate. It’s not a risk, it’s calculated. The evidence is he is playing.”