Nicholls played for the Petone Rugby Club and was the eldest of three brothers.
[1] He first played for Wellington in 1915 before serving in the military for the rest of World War I.
In rugby league Nicholls also represented Wellington for two seasons.
[2] Nicholls was allowed to switch again in 1922 and played rugby union for Wellington in 1922 and 1923.
In 1923 he was selected for the All Blacks against the touring New South Wales side and played in one match.