Bye, bye American pie: New-look Horsburgh passes Vegas test

After playing in the NRL season opener in Las Vegas, Raiders forward Corey Horsburgh’s new diet was tested to the limit by American food.

But the cheeseburgers, hot dogs, pancakes and fried foods on offer almost everywhere in Vegas were no match for the fitter, faster and stronger 2025 version of Horsburgh.

“I don’t really like the American food, to be honest. It was upsetting my stomach, I don’t know why,” Horsburgh said.

“I was happy to get back to my own bed, be with my dogs, my little one, and just kind of get back into routine. I was missing it after about three days of being in Vegas so yeah, I loved getting back.”

Horsburgh has had a phenomenal start to the 2025 season, but the former Queensland Origin forward admitted he needed to change his off-field habits after falling out of favour with Canberra coach Ricky Stuart.

The 27-year-old played just five NRL matches last season and was offered the opportunity to talk to rival clubs before Stuart offered him a second chance.

“I got off the drink, had a diet, and I’m feeling good and happy. That’s probably the secret, being happy.” Horsburgh said.

“I just knew that if I wanted to play rep footy and all that jazz, I had to get myself right and get my weight down and be the player I know I can be.

“I have done that this far and am hopeful that I can have a good year and achieve some of my goals.”

With captain Joseph Tapine suspended, and the Raiders facing arguably the NRL’s best front row in Brisbane’s Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan, Horsburgh stepped up at prop last weekend.

Playing alongside Josh Papali’i, the pair never took a backwards step as Canberra backed up their defeat of the Warriors at Allegiant Stadium with a 32-22 triumph at home.

“I have only really played with Papa my whole career. I love playing with Papa and it is a lot easier when you’re starting alongside that big fella. He is a legend of the game, and I love playing with him.” Horsburgh said.

After making his Origin debut in 2023, Horsburgh has a return to the Maroons side high on his list of goals for this season.

“That is obviously my goal, but I am a week-in, week-out kind of player. I’m a pretty relaxed fella that just likes to play footy,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to Manly next week now, they have got a very big and scary pack, so that is going to be another fun challenge, and I’d say that me and Papa will have our hands full again next week.”

Tapine's replacement Matty Nicholson was the star of the win, with the Englishman scoring two tries in his NRL debut after being left out of the side that played in Vegas.

It was déjà vu for the 21-year-old, as he also scored two tries in his Super League debut.

“I’ve got a little bit of a trend going on with my debuts. I scored two on my Wigan one and one in my Warrington one as well, so it’s a bit of a lucky charm with my debut games.” Nicholson told NRL.com.

With 18,000 fans producing one of the most passionate Viking claps at GIO Stadium, the match was a perfect welcome to Canberra for Nicholson.

“I’ve never played nothing like that. I think the English fans are really good and really loud but probably nowhere near as many as 18,000," he said.

“When we were lining up there getting ready to run out to that, it was unbelievable really. It got me a bit more pumped up for the game than what I usually would have been.”

Fellow rookie Savelio Tamale also scored his first NRL try playing at home for the Raiders for the first time.

“To play with this club with such great history and the boys that we have here now, it’s really such an honour and I’m grateful for that every day," the winger said.

“Obviously a big goal of mine is to be able to hold my spot in the 17, but no matter what happens, I’m just happy to play footy and I enjoy it. I just want to do my job for 'Stick' and the team.”