{{Short description|Australia international rugby league and union footballer}} {{other people|William Chambers}} {{Use Australian English|date=February 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox rugby league biography |name = Will Chambers |fullname = William Chambers |image = WillChambers2017.jpg |image_size = |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|5|26|df=yes}} |birth_place = {{nowrap|Brisbane, Queensland, Australia}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nrl.com/players/state-of-origin/queensland/will-chambers/ |title=Official Holden State of Origin profile of Will Chambers for Queensland - NRL |access-date=5 June 2019 |archive-date=5 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190605092401/https://www.nrl.com/players/state-of-origin/queensland/will-chambers/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> |death_date = |height = {{convert|190|cm|ftin|abbr=on}} |weight = {{convert|100|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} |position = {{rlp|CE}} |club1 = Melbourne Storm |year1start = 2007 |year1end = 10 |appearances1 = 43 |tries1 = 16 |goals1 = 0 |fieldgoals1 = 0 |points1 = 64 |club2 = Melbourne Storm |year2start = 2012 |year2end = 19 |appearances2 = 175 |tries2 = 68 |goals2 = 2 |fieldgoals2 = 0 |points2 = 276 |club3 = Cronulla Sharks |year3start = 2021 |year3end = |appearances3 = 8 |tries3 = 1 |goals3 = 0 |fieldgoals3 = 0 |points3 = 4 |teamA = Queensland |yearAstart = 2014 |yearAend = 19 |appearancesA = 13 |triesA = 4 |goalsA = 0 |fieldgoalsA = 0 |pointsA = 16 |teamB = Australia |yearBstart = 2015 |yearBend = 17 |appearancesB = 7 |triesB = 2 |goalsB = 0 |fieldgoalsB = 0 |pointsB = 8 |teamC = Prime Minister's XIII |yearCstart = 2014 |yearCend = 19 |appearancesC = 1 |triesC = 1 |goalsC = 0 |fieldgoalsC = 0 |pointsC = 4 |teamD = Indigenous All Stars |yearDstart = 2015 |yearDend = 19 |appearancesD = 3 |triesD = 1 |goalsD = 0 |fieldgoalsD = 0 |pointsD = 4 |ru_position = Outside Centre |ru_club1 = Queensland Reds |ru_year1start = 2010 |ru_year1end = 11 |ru_appearances1 = 26 |ru_tries1 = 5 |ru_goals1 = 0 |ru_fieldgoals1 = 0 |ru_points1 = 25 |ru_club2 = Munster |ru_year2start = 2011 |ru_year2end = 12 |ru_appearances2 = 8 |ru_tries2 = 1 |ru_goals2 = 0 |ru_fieldgoals2 = 0 |ru_points2 = 5 |ru_club3 = Suntory Sungoliath |ru_year3start = 2019 |ru_year3end = 21 |ru_appearances3 = 2 |ru_tries3 = 0 |ru_goals3 = 0 |ru_fieldgoals3 = 0 |ru_points3 = 0 |ru_club4 = LA Giltinis |ru_year4start = 2022 |ru_year4end = |ru_appearances4 = 7 |ru_tries4 = 2 |ru_goals4 = 0 |ru_fieldgoals4 = 0 |ru_points4 = 10 |source = <ref>[http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/will-chambers/summary.html Will Chambers] ''rugbyleagueproject.org''</ref> |updated = 6 March 2023 }}
'''William Chambers''' (born 26 May 1988 in Brisbane) is an Australian former professional rugby league and union footballer who last played for the LA Giltinis in Major League Rugby (MLR) in the United States. After winning two titles with the Melbourne Storm, he retired from Australia's NRL in 2021.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.espn.com/nrl/story/_/id/35624999/nfl-melbourne-centre-reimis-smith-learns-storm-great-chambers | title=Centre Smith learns from Storm great Chambers | date=9 February 2023 }}</ref>
He previously played at {{rlp|ce}} for the Melbourne Storm and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League and Australia at international level in rugby league. He had played his entire NRL career until the end of the 2019 NRL season at the Storm, winning the 2012 and 2017 Grand Finals with them. He has played for Queensland in the State of Origin series, Prime Minister's XIII and the Indigenous All Stars.
Chambers also played rugby union for the Queensland Reds, Munster and Suntory Sungoliath.
==Early life== Chambers was born in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia<ref>[https://www.nrl.com/news/2017/05/24/parents-behind-chambers-origin-dream/ Parents behind Chambers' Origin dream]</ref> into a family of Indigenous Australian (Yolngu)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/2017/06/01/indigenous-nrl-star-will-chambers-re-signs-melbourne-storm|title=Indigenous NRL star Will Chambers re-signs with Melbourne Storm|work=SBS.com.au|location=Australia|date=1 June 2017|access-date=21 March 2020}}</ref> descent but moved to the remote Northern Territory town of Nhulunbuy at 2 years of age.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
He began playing junior football for Nhulunbuy in the Northern Territory Rugby League competition.<ref name="Israel Folau, Will Chambers power Melbourne Storm">{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teens-to-power-storm/story-e6frepax-1111115812528|title=Israel Folau, Will Chambers power Melbourne Storm|work=Courier Mail|location=Australia|date=16 March 2008|access-date=7 March 2015| first=Dave| last=Donaghy}}</ref> At the age of 13, he returned to Brisbane and played schoolboy football for St Joseph's College, Nudgee.<ref>Will Chambers finds his feet]</ref><ref>[http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/reds-sign-storms-chambers/news-story/016d8218dd10b662664caa5cd28a42e4?sv=8fbe5d336f0babba005bbe4e389be1d7 Reds sign Storm's Chambers]</ref> As a schoolboy, Chambers was signed by the Melbourne Storm to compete in the National Rugby League from 2006. Along with rugby league, Chambers also played Australian rules football in his younger years<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2017/05/25/parents-behind-chambers-origin-dream/|title=Parents behind Chambers' Origin dream|work=melbournestorm.com.au|date=25 May 2017|access-date=28 August 2024}}</ref> and returned to the code in 2023 when he signed up to play for St Kilda City in the Southern Football Netball League.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/localfooty/a-threetime-state-of-origin-winning-star-will-try-his-hand-at-local-footy-in-2023/news-story/c5a474abc9de189f79d2198a79ade677?amp&nk=cb514da403b1dc5cca33053558005803-1680771090|title=A three-time State of Origin winning star will try his hand at local footy in 2023|work=Herald Sun|date=6 April 2023|access-date=12 March 2026}}</ref>
==Career==
===Rugby League=== ====2007 - 2009: Melbourne Storm==== thumb|Chambers playing NSW Cup for Cronulla Will Chambers' senior career began with the Melbourne Storm in the NRL. His usual position is as a {{rlp|ce}} or {{rlp|wg}}. Chambers also played for Brisbane Norths in the Queensland Cup. When Matt King departed the Melbourne Storm after their 2007 NRL Grand Final victory, he nominated rookie Melbourne Storm centre Will Chambers as the man to take his place.<ref name="Matt King anoints Will Chambers as his Melbourne Storm successor">{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22883156-14823,00.html|title=Matt King anoints Will Chambers as his Melbourne Storm successor|work=Herald Sun|location=Australia|date=7 December 2007|access-date=29 December 2007| first=Dave| last=Donaghy}}</ref>
Chambers final game for Melbourne in this period was the 2009 NRL Grand Final win against the Parramatta Eels. This premiership title was later stripped due to salary cap breaches by the Melbourne Storm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/storm/they-are-ours-why-cameron-smith-will-always-recognise-storms-stripped-premierships/news-story/6397becb6e5091d6804ef91c578c56bd/|title='They are ours': Why Cameron Smith will always recognise Storm's stripped premierships|website=Fox Sports|date=31 July 2019}}</ref>
====2012 - 2019: Melbourne Storm==== He re-joined the Melbourne Storm in 2012, and played his first game on 25 March 2012 against the Sydney Roosters, in which he scored a try. A successful return was exclaimed by scoring a hat-trick against New Zealand Warriors.
By being part of the 2012 NRL Grand Final winning team, Chambers joined Peter Ryan, Brad Thorn and Sonny Bill Williams in winning both NRL and Super Rugby titles (though he did not play in the Super Rugby final). Chambers won his in consecutive years after winning with the Queensland Reds in 2011.
In 2013, he played in Melbourne's World Club Challenge victory over Leeds.
Chambers was called into the Queensland team for the 2014 State of Origin series as 18th man for the first two games. However, with Brent Tate being injured in game two, it left vacant the wing position for Chambers to make his Origin debut at Suncorp Stadium in Game Three.
In the 2015 pre season, Chambers captained the Melbourne Storm at the NRL Auckland Nines. He was also selected for the Indigenous All Stars in the 2015 All Stars match at the. Gold Coast.
After a great start to the 2015 NRL season, Chambers became the 800th Australian Kangaroo.{{citation needed|date=February 2024}} He made his test debut in the centres against New Zealand Kiwis in the 2015 Anzac Test at Suncorp Stadium.
In the 2016 NRL season, Chambers was part of the Melbourne side which won the Minor Premiership and reached the grand final against Cronulla-Sutherland but were defeated 14–12 at ANZ Stadium with Chambers scoring a try in the second half of the match.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2016/oct/02/nrl-grand-final-2016-cronulla-sharks-vs-melbourne-storm-live/|title=Cronulla defeat Storm to break 50-year NRL grand final hoodoo - as it happened|website=The Guardian|date=2 October 2016|last1=Connolly|first1=Paul}}</ref>
In the 2017 NRL season, Melbourne again won the Minor Premiership and reached the grand final against North Queensland where they won the match 34–6 at ANZ Stadium.
In the 2018 NRL season, Melbourne finished second on the table and reached the 2018 NRL Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters. Melbourne were defeated 21–6 in the final and Chambers was involved in an incident with Roosters player Latrell Mitchell during the match where Chambers was tackled into touch and then pushed into the advertising board by Mitchell. This was a culmination of a rivalry between the two players which had started earlier in the year during the 2018 State of Origin series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/good-will-chambers-hunted-by-latrell-mitchell-again-20180930-p506zp.html/|title=Good Will Chambers hunted by Latrell Mitchell ... again|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=30 September 2018}}</ref>
In the 2019 NRL season, Melbourne won the Minor Premiership after a dominant season but were defeated by the Sydney Roosters at the Sydney Cricket Ground. This would be Chambers final game for Melbourne.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/sep/28/sydney-roosters-v-melbourne-storm-nrl-preliminary-final-live/|title=Roosters 14-6 Storm: NRL preliminary final – as it happened|website=The Guardian|date=28 September 2019|last1=Howcroft|first1=Jonathan}}</ref>
====2021: Cronulla-Sutherland==== On 19 April 2021, Chambers signed a one-year deal to join Cronulla-Sutherland in the NRL.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-contracts-full-squads-will-chambers-sharks-transfer-centre-signings-every-team/news-story/a9b3ee78e067f66b0e163be2259829f5/|title=Tigers confirm Hastings capture as Chambers signs on with Sharks: Transfer Centre|website=www.foxsports.com.au|date=21 April 2021}}</ref>
In round 8 of the 2021 NRL season, he made his club debut for Cronulla-Sutherland against Melbourne at AAMI Park where Melbourne won 40–14.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-30/nrl-broncos-beat-titans-storm-defeat-sharks/100101352/|title=Brisbane Broncos launch NRL fightback to beat Gold Coast Titans 36-28, Melbourne Storm thrash Cronulla Sharks 40-14|newspaper=ABC News|date=30 April 2021}}</ref>
In round 15 Chambers scored his first try for Cronulla against North Queensland. Cronulla-Sutherland would go on the win the game 26–24 in a tight finish.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-18/panthers-come-alive-to-belt-roosters-sharks-hold-off-cowboys/100215562|title = Panthers come alive to belt Roosters, Sharks hold off Cowboys|newspaper = ABC News|date = 18 June 2021}}</ref>
On 10 August, Chambers was demoted from the Cronulla side by interim head coach Josh Hannay. Hannay was reportedly unhappy with Chambers on-field sledging where in consecutive weeks he sledged Manly's Dylan Walker and then against New Zealand Warriors player Kane Evans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/bulldogs-send-sos-to-raiders-as-james-horsburgh-sign-on-emergency-loans-20210810-p58hk2.html/|title=Will Chambers dropped after sledging attack backfires|website=www.smh.com.au|date=10 August 2021}}</ref>
===Rugby Union=== ====2010 - 2011: Queensland Reds==== Chambers switched to rugby union from 2010 after signing a 2-year deal with the Queensland Reds to play in the Super 14.<ref>[http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/news/news/reds-sign-storm-star-chambers/2009/02/16/1234632733371.html Reds sign Melbourne Storm star Chambers] 16 February 2009 – 8:56 pm</ref> However, following a disappointing 2011 season - where he only started six of the Reds' 18 matches - Chambers was released by the club after missing a place in their thirty-man 2012 squad.<ref name="willreleased">{{cite web|url=http://www.rugby.com.au/superrugby/News/Article/tabid/959/ArticleID/4133/Default.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808042918/http://www.rugby.com.au/superrugby/News/Article/tabid/959/ArticleID/4133/Default.aspx | archive-date=2014-08-08| title=Will Chambers released by Reds}}</ref> He was named on the bench for the Reds Super 15 final victory over the Crusaders in 2011 – which featured fellow league-turned-union player Sonny Bill Williams on the opposing side – but did not play in the match.<ref name="willreleased"/>
====2011: Munster==== Chambers signed for Pro12 side and former European Champions Munster in September 2011 on a short-term deal.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9367.php|title=Queensland Red For Munster|date=8 September 2011|work=munsterrugby.ie|access-date=8 September 2011}}</ref> He arrived to join up with Munster in October 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9523.php|title=Chambers Arrives|date=12 October 2011|work=munsterrugby.ie|access-date=12 October 2011}}</ref> He played for Munster A against Connacht A on 21 October 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9543.php|title=Chambers in For 'A' Game|date=19 October 2011|work=munsterrugby.ie|access-date=21 October 2011}}</ref> He made his full Munster debut against Aironi on 28 October 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/9610.php|title=Munster Master The Conditions|date=29 October 2011|work=munsterrugby.ie|access-date=29 October 2011}}</ref> He made his Heineken Cup debut for Munster against Northampton Saints on 12 November 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/9659.php|title=Cometh The Hour, Cometh The Men|date=13 November 2011|work=munsterrugby.ie|access-date=13 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/9658.php|title=A Day of Firsts|date=14 November 2011|work=munsterrugby.ie|access-date=14 November 2011}}</ref> Chambers scored his first try for Munster exactly a week later, in their second Pool One game away to Castres Olympique.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/rugby/9695.php|title=Same Again Thanks Rog|date=20 November 2011|work=munsterrugby.ie|access-date=20 November 2011}}</ref> He was named in the Munster A team to play Ulster Ravens in the British and Irish Cup on 20 January 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10004.php|title=Holland Leads The British & Irish Side|date=19 January 2012|work=munsterrugby.ie|access-date=20 January 2012}}</ref> This was announced to be Chambers last appearance for Munster, as he was returning to Australia to take up a contract with rugby league team Melbourne Storm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10007.php|title=Chambers Signs Off This Evening|date=20 January 2012|work=munsterrugby.ie|access-date=20 January 2012}}</ref> Munster A won the game 9–20, securing a spot in the semi-finals.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.munsterrugby.ie/news/10011.php|title=Munster Upset The Odds|date=21 January 2012|work=munsterrugby.ie|access-date=23 January 2012}}</ref> In his four months with Munster, Chambers made 8 appearances for the senior Munster team, including 3 Heineken Cup caps, and scored 1 try. He also made 3 appearances for Munster A.
====2020: Suntory Sungoliath==== Following the conclusion of the 2019 Melbourne Storm season, Chambers was honoured at the club's annual awards night as one of the departing players, confirming rumours that he would be leaving the NRL.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chambers says sayonara to Storm |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/10/08/chambers-says-sayonara-to-storm/ |website=NRL.com |publisher=National Rugby League |access-date=7 April 2022 |date=8 October 2019}}</ref> Chambers would later be unveiled by Suntory Sungoliath, who also had former Queensland Reds Sam Talakai, Hendrik Tui & Samu Kerevi on their roster.
====2022: LA Giltinis==== Chambers returned for a third stint playing rugby union, signed by 2021 Major League Rugby champions LA Giltinis.<ref>{{cite web |title=GILTINIS SIGN DUAL-CODE AUSTRALIAN STAR WILL CHAMBERS |url=https://giltinis.com/news/team-annoucement/giltinis-sign-dual-code-australian-star-will-chambers |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211208230628/https://giltinis.com/news/team-annoucement/giltinis-sign-dual-code-australian-star-will-chambers |url-status=usurped |archive-date=8 December 2021 |website=LA Giltinis |access-date=7 April 2022 |date=9 December 2021}}</ref>
==Honours== ===Melbourne Storm=== * 2009 NRL Grand Final Winners * 2012 NRL Grand Final Premiers * 2013 World Club Challenge Winners * 2017 NRL Grand Final Premiers * 2018 World Club Challenge Winners
== NRL statistics == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Team !Games !Tries !Goals !Pts |- |2007 | rowspan="11" |{{Leagueicon|Melbourne}} Melbourne Storm |5 |1 | |4 |- |2008 |10 |3 | |12 |- |2009 |27 |12 | |48 |- |2012 |18 |13 | |52 |- |2013 |25 |12 | |48 |- |2014 |22 |11 |1 |46 |- |2015 |25 |10 | |40 |- |2016 |17 |3 | |12 |- |2017 |23 |7 | |28 |- |2018 |19 |4 | |16 |- |2019 |24 |6 |1 |26 |- |2021 |{{Leagueicon|Cronulla}} Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks |9 |1 | |4 |- | |Totals |226 |85 |2 |344 |}
==References== {{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
==External links== *[https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/melbourne-storm/will-chambers/ Melbourne Storm profile] *[http://www.rlwc2017.com/players?team=376#Will-Chambers 2017 RLWC profile]
{{Navboxes |title= Melbourne Storm squads | bg=#000033 | fg=gold | bordercolor=purple |list1= {{Melbourne Storm squad - 2009 NRL Grand Final winners}} {{Melbourne Storm squad - 2012 NRL premiers}} {{Melbourne Storm - 2013 World Club Challenge winners}} {{Melbourne Storm - 2017 NRL premiers}} {{Melbourne Storm - 2018 World Club Challenge winners}} }} {{Australia 2017 Rugby League World Cup squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chambers, Will}} Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen Category:Australia national rugby league team players Category:Australian expatriate rugby union players in Japan Category:Australian expatriate rugby union players in the United States Category:Australian rugby league players Category:Australian rugby union players Category:Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks players Category:Footballers who switched code Category:Indigenous All Stars players Category:Indigenous Australian rugby union players Category:21st-century Indigenous Australian people Category:Junior Kangaroos players Category:LA Giltinis players Category:Melbourne Storm players Category:Munster Rugby players Category:Norths Devils players Category:People educated at St Joseph's College, Nudgee Category:Prime Minister's XIII players Category:Queensland Reds players Category:Queensland Rugby League State of Origin players Category:Rugby league centres Category:Rugby league players from Brisbane Category:Rugby league wingers Category:Rugby union centres Category:Rugby union players from Brisbane Category:Rugby union wings Category:Tokyo Sungoliath players