Chambers at home in Territory

KANGAROOS centre Will Chambers will fulfil a childhood dream when he faces Samoa in their World Cup quarter- final on Friday night.

Chambers, who has gone on to be a star for Queensland and the Melbourne Storm, cut his teeth playing in the Northern Territory.

He was born in Queensland but played his first game at 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 played rugby league for the Northern Territory under- 12s before moving in his teens to boarding school at St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Brisbane.

Apart from a rugby union appearance during his two stints with Queensland Reds, Friday’s match in Darwin will be Chambers’ first in the NT since running around as an impressionable youngster.

“It’s a childhood dream to get the opportunity to play for Australia in Darwin,” Chambers said yesterday. “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.”

While Chambers grew up a Canberra fan, he remembers the time Newcastle premiership player Mark Hughes came to town and hoped to leave a similar legacy on youngsters when the Kangaroos are in Darwin.