JUST OZSOME

Nicholson's buzzing for Raiders bow alongside old pal Smithies

- 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 (right), 24, made the same switch from Wigan last year, 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, so to have a familiar face has just made it easier, especially those first few weeks when I didn't really know many of the Canberra lads.

"Me and Morgan played at the same amateur club - Siddal in Halifax.