How Matty passed his Vegas character test with flying colours

Raiders recruit Matty Nicholson may have been the only Englishman who left Las Vegas disappointed after missing selection in Ricky Stuart's top 17 to face the Warriors.

The 21-year-old has done everything asked of him since arriving in the national capital, putting his best foot forward in the trials to earn a spot in the extended squad for the trip to the States.

In the end the former Warrington Wolves back-rower lost out to Zac Hosking, Simi Sasagi, Josh Papalii and countryman Morgan Smithies when Stuart settled on his final line-up but it's what he did next that showed the measure of the man.

"Matty was visibly upset that he didn't make the first 17 but he handled it like a real clubman," said Stuart on Friday.

"He got in and helped the first 17 prepare really well with our scrimmage and our opposed sessions.

"He didn't miss a beat at training so the values of what we noticed there really shows that he's a great young man.

"Matty's a typical Englishman that comes across and he really digs deep into his training and his development and wanting to improve as a footy player."

With forward leader Joe Tapine sidelined through suspension, Smithies has moved into the starting side to face the Broncos on Saturday night and Nicholson has been added to the bench for his debut NRL match.

Stuart says it's just reward for the way Nicholson dealt with his Vegas disappointment and put the team's needs ahead of his own in the days leading up to the impressive win over the Warriors.

"He was disappointed, you want the boys to be disappointed, but the way he handled it and worked for the team off the field, helping the staff out, showed his personality," Stuart said.

"I hate letting my players down, I know how much they want to play. It's the worst part of my job, you lose sleep over it.

"Matty's our eighth Englishman [at the Raiders] and we haven't had an Englishman who has played NRL here who hasn't made a difference."

Another man Stuart can't wait to see rip in against Payne Haas, Pat Carrigan and co is Corey Horsburgh, who opened his season in style with 16 runs for 123 metres at Allegiant Stadium.

After playing just three games in 2024 due to injuries and suspension, the 27-year-old did plenty of soul searching over the off-season and looks ready to rediscover the form that won him a Maroons jersey in 2023.

"We missed Corey last year but he's fit and healthy now and he has State of Origin in front of him," Stuart said.

"The way he played last week I'm sure [Maroons coach] Billy Slater will be very excited about the fact he is fit, healthy and got that real positive attitude to his footy."