Realising big dream
Going back to NT special for Kangaroo
RUGBY LEAGUE: For Kangaroos centre Will Chambers Friday’s match against Samoa is more than just a do-or-die game.
The quarter-final match will see him fulfil a childhood dream. While Chambers has gone on to star for Queensland and become a force for the Storm, he cut his teeth playing rugby league in the Northern Territory.
Despite being born in Queensland, Chambers played his first rugby league game in Nhulunbuy – a 23-hour drive from Darwin – after moving there with his family when he was two. His parents still live in the same family home he visits each year.
Chambers had his first taste of representative football playing for the Northern Territory under-12s side before moving in his teens to boarding school at St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Queensland.
Apart from a rugby union appearance during his two stints with the Queensland Reds, Friday’s match in Darwin marks Chambers’ first in the Northern Territory since running around as an impressionable youngster.
“It’s a childhood dream to get the opportunity to play for Australia in Darwin,” Chambers said. “It hasn’t hit me really. I haven’t thought too much about it.
“The opportunity to play there is something I’ll cherish forever. My parents are proud as punch. They will be at the game. So will my brother who lives in Darwin. My wife and daughter will be flying up too.
“I remember playing school carnivals and just how hot it was. It will shock a few people.”
Chambers hails from a town of about 4000 people where retired swimming star Geoff Huegill and AFL player Nathan Djerrkura hail from.
While Chambers grew up as a mad Canberra fan he remembers the time Newcastle premiership winner Mark Hughes came to town and hopes to leave a similar legacy on youngsters after the Kangaroos arrived in Darwin yesterday.
“Mark Hughes came once and I remember that to this day,” Chambers said.
“To have the whole Australian side coming to play, I know the young kids and the fans will be behind us. They will be loving it.
“I haven’t thought too much about it because I don’t want to get too overawed. I’m excited.
“Hopefully young kids can get a bit of inspiration out of it and one day they get the opportunity to do something similar.
“Thinking about it now makes me hope that if I can drive one or two young kids to do their best at whatever they do in life then so be it.”