This was the first New Zealand national team to tour the Northern Hemisphere, and played 20 matches during the trip, but did not appear in any internationals.

After retiring from rugby he was involved in the sport as a referee, selector and administrator.

He was one of the last surviving members of the Original All Blacks, as the 1905 team was called, and was present at the 75th jubilee celebrating for the formation of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union in 1967.

[1] He was selected for Auckland in 1901, and in 1902 played for the North Island in the inter-island match;[1] lost 20–14 to the South.

[2] During the tour one Test match was played against Australia – New Zealand's first ever – and Nicholson was selected for the side.