England international Matty Nicholson has spoken about how joining Wigan Warriors helped him to make his switch to the NRL.
Nicholson is the latest in a string of young English talent to make the move to the NRL as he follows in the footsteps of Will Pryce, Morgan Smithies and Kai Pearce-Paul, all of whom moved Down Under ahead of the 2024 season.
Leaving Warrington Wolves, Nicholson will re-join his former Wigan Warriors teammate Smithies at Canberra Raiders as the capital city’s English connection continues with the likes of George Williams, John Bateman and Josh Hodgson all having previously starred for the club.
In fact, Nicholson’s likely path to first-team minutes comes as a result of departing English second-rower Elliott Whitehead moving to Super League, re-joining Catalans Dragons.
At just 21, it’s a big move for Nicholson who had been tearing it up in his second full season with Warrington Wolves. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, he had confirmed that talks with teammates and former Canberra stars George Williams and John Bateman had helped him make the decision.
He’s now also spoken on how joining Wigan Warriors aged 16 made taking the leap easier.
Ex-Wigan Warriors and Wire man on his NRL challenge
Credit: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com
Despite hailing from West Yorkshire, Nicholson broke through in Lancashire with Wigan Warriors signing him as a 16-year-old after impressing at amateur level.
After time on loan with Newcastle Thunder, he would make his Super League debut aged 19 in May 2022 as he scored a brace in a defeat to Huddersfield.
That performance was certainly eye-catching considering that just a month later, in late June 2022, he would sign for Warrington Wolves on a three-and-half-year deal, whom he would go on to make 46 Super League appearances for.
He’s now attributed his NRL switch to his brave move to join Wigan Warriors at such a young age, explaining the similarities between the two situations.
“I came here on my own,” Nicholson confirmed to The Daily Telegraph.
“All my family are back home. I came through the junior ranks at Wigan so when I was 16, I moved out of the family home to Wigan.
“I have always been away from home really. I have been away from a young age really. It was difficult leaving family, but something I am kind of used to.”
He had confirmed that he’d be living with former Wigan Warriors Morgan Smithies, the pair both hailing from Halifax, both having represented the Cherry and Whites and both harbouring NRL ambitions.
On his move, Nicholson explained: “I’ve grown up watching NRL and I think that’s the pinnacle of rugby league. The competition over here in my opinion is a lot better than Super League.
“I just wanted to challenge myself really and see how I go.”
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