Halifax machines

MATTY'S YORKSHIRE GRIT

- DAVE CRAVEN

CANBERRA is a long way from their childhood together in Halifax - but England forward Matty Nicholson can't wait to make his NRL debut there alongside big mate Morgan Smithies.

The highly-rated second-row left Warrington for the Australian capital over the winter and makes his bow against Brisbane Broncos on Saturday.

Loose forward Smithies, 24, made the same switch from Wigan last year and so is showing him the ropes Down Under.

Nicholson said: "It's helped massively. I'm only 21 and moving to the other side of the world is a big step.