The NRL career of former Maroons and Kangaroos centre Will Chambers appears to be over.
Instead, the bright lights of Los Angeles have come calling.
After a one-season stint with Cronulla, the 33-year-old wasn’t offered a new deal in the Shire and will trade Shark Park for the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, to play for the LA Giltinis in the Major League Rugby competition for the next two years.
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“About two weeks ago (Giltinis coach) Stephen Hoiles rang me and asked if I was still interested,” Chambers told Wide World of Sports and the Sydney Morning Herald.
“To be honest, I was ready to finish up with footy but the opportunity to go and live in another country and play rugby over there, for an organisation that won the competition last year, it was probably too good to say no to.”
The Giltinis are the reigning MLR champions, clinching this season’s title on the back of star performances from former Wallabies Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper.
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While Ashley-Cooper has retired and moved into a coaching role with LA, Giteau could go around again to form a formidable combination with Chambers, who has played outside centre in his previous stints in rugby.
The Giltinis would be a strong chance of going back to back with Chambers, Giteau and former Wallaby Billy Meakes in their backline, but they aren’t the only international stars in the US competition.
“I just saw Ma’a Nonu signed for San Diego, so there’s clearly still quality centres over there,” Chambers said.
“He’s a bit older but he’s a world class player. On his day, he was the most destructive centre in world rugby. We’re going to have our hands full there.”
It’s Chambers’ third stint in rugby, after having previously played for the Queensland Reds and Irish giants Munster from 2010 to 2012, and Japanese heavyweights Suntory (2019-2021).
“I’ve always enjoyed rugby and always thought I would go back to it.
“It’s not a walk in the park. You have to train hard and all of that. I’ve started to prepare well, to make sure I’m in the best shape possible.”
Chambers played 226 NRL games for the Melbourne Storm and Cronulla, in a career which spanned 15 seasons.
He also represented the Maroons in 13 State of Origin games, and played seven Tests for the Kangaroos.