Welcome to the NRL shorts for Wednesday, March 12.

ABC Sport will be updating this story throughout the day with everything you need to be across in the NRL.

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Brown says money not the main driver of Knights move

Dylan Brown has claimed security and not money was his main driver in agreeing to join the Newcastle Knights on the NRL's most lucrative and lengthy contract.

The New Zealand international will become the owner of the most valuable contract in NRL history next season after signing a 10-year deal worth a staggering $13 million.

The 24-year-old will leave Parramatta at the end of this season.

Brown told teammates of his decision on Monday, less than 24 hours after the Eels began the 2025 season under new coach Jason Ryles with a 56-18 loss to Melbourne.

"Money has never really been a thing for me, it's the 10 years of security," Brown said.

"I just signed a deal with Parra before (in December 2022), and that was 10 years and it was purely based on security.

"I never wanted to leave and I had a few discussions with Parramatta and they put forward their best contract and the Knights' (offer) was too hard to turn down.

"It's the longevity of the contract, not so much the money, but it is a lot of money."

Brown is expected to move from five-eighth to become Newcastle's chief playmaker as the team's halfback.

Among those to raise concerns over Brown's ability to handle the switch to halfback was Knights great Andrew Johns.

Throughout his career at the Eels, Brown has played second fiddle to halves partner Mitchell Moses and has struggled to control a team when Moses has been unavailable.

"I've obviously been a six all my career," said Brown.

"(Playing as a No.7), I'm learning on the go, nothing happens quickly.

"I'm willing to learn. I'm willing to take on the challenge."

— George Clarke

Shibasaki's Broncos return a gem after all seemed lost

Gehamat Shibasaki thought his NRL career was over before being given an unexpected lifeline by the Brisbane Broncos.

Instead of holding down a regular job and playing Queensland Cup, Shibasaki now has a development list contract and is the starting left centre for the high-flying Broncos.

The 26-year-old journeyman, known as "Gem", played 18 Queensland Cup matches for the Townsville Blackhawks in 2024.

He lined up in just six NRL matches for South Sydney, North Queensland and Newcastle in the previous four seasons.

Shibasaki secured a train-and-trial deal with the Broncos, but thought his NRL ship had sailed.

"That's how it felt for me. It felt like that was pretty much it for me," Shibasaki said.

"When I did get that feeling of being around the boys every day I just felt like I wanted to give it another crack. I put my head down and worked hard.

"I set little goals, and a lot of big things happened off the back of it. I am really proud of that too.

"I had nothing on [at the end] of last year."

Shibasaki made his NRL debut for the Broncos in 2018 and said he was in the right environment to get the best out of himself under new coach Michael Maguire.

"It was just a train-and-trial for preseason at the start. I got flogged," he said.

"My body wasn't ready for preseason. I hadn't been around this professional scene in a while.

"I just knew that if I got my body right pre-Christmas everything else would fall into place.

"I just kept chipping away and buying into what Madge (Maguire) had to say. I worked really hard and it all paid off."

After shining in the preseason trials and again in the 50-14 win over the Sydney Roosters in round one, Shibasaki could yet secure a full-time top 30 deal.

— Joel Gould

Cowboys coach Payten sends warning to players over defence

Coach Todd Payten has sent a message to his entire North Queensland squad that none of them are safe from being dropped if defensive lapses persist.

When Payten axed Queensland's star back-rower Jeremiah Nanai after his poor showing against Manly in the 42-12 drubbing in round one it was not for just one lacklustre performance.

If it was, then others would have felt the coach's wrath ahead of Saturday night's home clash with Cronulla.

Nanai had been spoken to last year about his overall defensive displays. He missed three tackles and made 23 against Manly, but the issue goes beyond numbers and to areas such as communication and effort. 

The 22-year-old, acknowledged by Payten as an "elite attacking player", spoke in the lead-up to the Sea Eagles game about his determination to improve his "defensive movements" this year.

It was the right intent but he wasn't able to turn those good intentions into actions. A stint with the Northern Pride in the Queensland Cup will now follow.

"Jeremiah ... needs to improve some defensive parts of his game and he is going to get some time in the QCup to do that," Payten said.

"It wasn't an easy decision but I just felt it was important for the group that if we want to improve as a team, defence is first and foremost."

Former Canberra and Leigh Leopards forward Kai O'Donnell will make his Cowboys debut in Nanai's place.

"He is rock-hard fit and he will die competing for his teammates. He played really good footy over in England and has grown up wanting to be a Cowboy all of his life," Payten said. 

Cowboys co-captain Tom Dearden had a tough night against Manly on the left edge with Nanai and centre Jaxon Purdue. The Test and Queensland playmaker missed an uncharacteristic six tackles. 

"We had a really honest review and we really missed the mark with the physical part of our performance and that is where we are looking to bounce back," Dearden said.

"If I'm honest, I thought (the left edge) missed our mark defensively. We missed a few important tackles that ended up being crucial in tries. We need to be better in that area."

— Joel Gould

Tino says he is ready to get back to his best at the Titans

The wisdom of a rehab sage combined with the application of cutting edge technology has Gold Coast Titans captain Tino Fa'asuamaleaui ready to return to his blockbusting best.

The 25-year-old Queensland and Test forward feels mentally and physically at a new level after completing a two-week US training camp last year with in-demand sports reconditioning and athletic coach Bill Knowles.

The Titans skipper suffered an ACL rupture against Canterbury in round three last year at Belmore Sports Ground. In a symmetrical circumstance he will make his NRL return at the same venue against the Bulldogs on Sunday.

Knowles had also assisted Tom Trbojevic, Ryan Papenhuyzen and Latrell Mitchell with their injury recoveries. His impact on Fa'suamaleaui has been long-lasting.

"I got a lot out of it with the physical side of things just from the way we trained and how relentless it was — from early in the morning to late in the afternoon," he said.

"To get one-on-one training with someone like Bill was awesome but the biggest thing I got out of it was the brain work. Combining that with physical side of things really built up my confidence to be able to take that next step with my rehab.

"The great thing is that all that knowledge has stayed with me. It has hopefully taken me to the next level.

"I am still working on a lot of things throughout training, and before and after. I am so glad I got to learn new things and better myself physically and mentally."

The Titans warhorse likes to tick every box.

That's why in January he visited consultancy Pitch Ready in Sydney, an external company specialising in the recovery of elite athletes to return to full training.

They put Fa'asuamaleaui through a series of strength and capacity tests utilising 3D motion analysis as he changed direction at high speeds.

"It was quite awesome to be honest to see what technology we have for rehab and injuries," he said.

"We did a lot of tests on the computers and applied a lot of technology throughout my whole body that saw the way I moved and calculated and recorded everything.

"They gave me a lot of feedback on what I needed to get better at and what I had done well. It was another key step in my recovery.

"I still feel I can improve a lot but I believe I can definitely get to the point where I am better than what I was."

With Fa'asuamaleaui lining up alongside current or recent Origin forwards Moeaki Fotuaika, David Fifita, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Queensland hopeful Beau Fermor, there is a sense the Titans squad is the best since the 2010 team that made the preliminary final.

— Joel Gould