Warrington’s Matty Nicholson on lessons from Oz that see him linked with NRL
MATTY Nicholson insists he has not made his mind up over a move to the NRL – even though everyone expects him to head there.
But lessons from Australia are helping him produce for Warrington in the form of boss Sam Burgess.
The back rower is heavily linked with a move to Canberra Raiders, who have raided Super League several times in recent years.
Nicholson, 20, is adamant he has not decided on anything as Burgess, who himself headed Down Under in his early 20s, moulds him into a star.
He said: “I haven’t made my mind up yet.
“It’s a massive decision, one that’ll stick with me for the rest of my life and there are a lot of things to take into consideration.
“But as it stands, I haven’t decided yet.
“And my all-round game’s improved under Sam. He’s made me more of a complete player, particularly on the defensive side of my game.
MOST READ IN RUGBY LEAGUE
“He’s massive on effort areas, that doesn’t go unnoticed when he’s coaching you.”
Nicholson’s form was rewarded with a place in the England squad for the 40-8 Test win in France, the latest in a long line of internationals from Halifax.
Tonight’s clash with Leeds will not see him face off with the Rhinos’ Morgan Gannon, who also came through at his amateur club Siddal – but the conveyor belt keeps moving, with the help of hills.
“I don’t really know what the secret is,” Nicholson added about the West Yorkshire town.
“There’s Morgan Smithies, Morgan Gannon, Amir Bourouh, Jake Connor, Tyler Dupree and I playing now who’ve just come from Siddal.
“Halifax is a rugby league town and when you’re young and running up all those hills, it toughens you up.
“When I first joined Wigan as a youngster, not having any came as a bit of a shock!”