With injury having interrupted his career at Parramatta, Ryan Matterson has joined Warrington Wolves with the aim of helping them towards the Super League playoffs and possibly sticking around in England even longer.

THEY know a thing or two about big-name Australian loan signings in Warrington, although the Wolves’ latest temporary recruit from the NRL will be plugging away in the engine room rather than be the one captaining the ship.

Twenty years ago, the Wire rocked Super League by bringing all-time great Andrew Johns to the Halliwell Jones Stadium to aid their end-of-season play-off push.

Now, in big old 2025, they have again turned their attention down under, this time signing up versatile forward Ryan Matterson until the end of the campaign as they aim to revive their flagging top-six ambitions.

Matterson’s move from Parramatta Eels may not have created quite the same buzz around Super League and beyond as Johns’ did, yet he is getting plenty of attention around the town – thanks in no small part to the not entirely conspicuous mode of transportation he has been given.

“People live and breathe rugby league here, and I’ve really noticed it since I’ve driven around Warrington,” Matterson said.

“I’ve got the club car, so I’ve got the Warrington badges on there, so everyone is noticing me. I’m getting tapped on the window with people saying ‘mate, we’ve got to fix this and fix that’, so there are a lot of coaches out there!

“But you know what? I enjoy passionate fans and that’s who I play for. I really enjoy playing for a passionate town.

“I go out there and I obviously play with pride, and try to do the honour to the people who have played before me.”

If his surname sounds familiar to long-time Super League watchers then that is because it should do, with Ryan’s uncle Terry playing for London Broncos during the first years of summer rugby league and then serving as Castleford Tigers head coach from 2005-11.

There are plenty of the 30-year-old’s ex-NRL team-mates and opponents dotted around the Northern Hemisphere competition, including his old Parramatta clubmate Joe Ofahengaue who he came up against in his first Warrington outing against Leigh Leopards at the start of August.

Not that Matterson had much time to consult friends or family for advice about upping sticks to move across to the other side of the world when the offer to join the Wolves came in.

“I had four days to get everything [sorted],” Matterson said. “It was more about trying to get my visa sorted, my flight and all that type of jazz.

“Then when I got over here, it was more about ticking boxes to make sure my body is right in terms of injury and getting to meet the players, the plays and the structure, who the club is and the history, and how everything is.

“I was just learning so much and I didn’t really have time to worry about anything other than me being present.

“Having such a short time to prep, it actually probably did me good.”

Matterson was an Grand Final winner with Sydney Roosters in 2018 and featured in the NRL showpiece for the Eels three years ago as they were beaten by Penrith Panthers, a season which also saw him earn a State of Origin appearance for New South Wales.

Yet he has only featured four times for the Eels in 2025, with a back injury which sidelined him for nine weeks contributing to him being out of head coach Jason Ryles’ plans.

Unlike Johns, whose fleeting spell in Wolves colours lasted just three games, Matterson is set to be in Super League until at least the end of the regular season in mid-September and maybe even longer, whether that is with Warrington or elsewhere.

The rumour mill has already linked him with a possible permanent switch to Super League leaders and Challenge Cup winners Hull KR next year too, and while he is contracted with Parramatta until the end of 2026, he is open to staying on these shores if the opportunity arises.

“Anything that is the right fit for me, that’s what I’m willing to do,” Matterson said. “I’m definitely contracted with Parramatta until the end of next year, [the loan move] was more so because I hadn’t played much football this year and I really needed to take to the field and enjoy my football again.

“Warrington are pushing to make the play-offs and both parties thought I would be a good fit to help the team strive for that direction.

“It happened that quick that I thought short-term, it’s a loan, let me enjoy my football and my experience in Super League, experience England and playing in a whole other nation.

“I’m enjoying it so far, the club has spoken to my manager about the future and next year and things like that, but I’ve told my manager he can sort that out.”

Matterson’s first appearances for Warrington against Leigh and Wigan Warriors came from the interchange bench and while he admitted he would rather be in the starting XIII, he still put in lengthy stints in both matches.

Unfortunately for him and his new teammates, the win ended up slipping away from them in the second half of those two games, leaving their hopes of making the playoffs ahead of the likes of Hull FC or promoted Wakefield Trinity dangling by a thread.

However, Matterson still showed glimpses of what he can bring to the team on both sides of the ball, making 22 and 30 tackles in those games respectively and averaging 82 metres per game with the ball in hand.

Despite the defeats, he is enjoying being back out on the field too and is already feeling settled at a club which may yet end up being a longer-term home rather than a temporary stay.

“I’m loving it,” Matterson said. “From the top all the way down to the fans, it’s been so welcoming.

“I can’t speak highly enough of all of the boys. It’s just a smooth transition.

“It was good to get some game-time and I’m going to be better for it, and I think I’ve got over the injury now and I’m just looking for a strong end to the season.” 

First published in Rugby League World magazine, Issue 512 (September 2025)