SAM Burgess insists Matty Nicholson “will make the right decision at the right time” about his Warrington Wolves future amid talk of a move to Australia.

Earlier this week, reports from Down Under claimed the second rower had informed The Wire of his decision to try his luck in the NRL from next year, with five clubs reported to be interested in his services.

The 20-year-old is under contract until the end of next season so Warrington would be entitled to a transfer fee for the services of Nicholson, who once again produced a superb defensive performance to help his side to victory at Catalans Dragons on Saturday.

When asked, Burgess insisted he hadn’t given up hope of Nicholson remaining at The Halliwell Jones Stadium beyond the end of the season but acknowledged the player’s “ambition” to further himself.

“I have a really open relationship with the players, and he was very honest with me and I appreciate that,” he said.

“I’m trying to give him the best guidance I can as a coach and as a friend as well.

“He’ll make the right decision at the right time but for now, he’s enjoying his work.

“He’s got ambition and I respect that. If he is going to go that way, we’ll send him in the best shape possible and with the most experience possible, but he’s a wonderful player.

“He’s only 30 or 40 games into his career, so he’s relatively young in that respect. He’s learning and getting better every week as well.

“If he does go, the NRL would be getting a great player and for us, it would be next man up.”