The Rugby World Cup was off his radar when Melbourne Storm centre Will Chambers made a stunning switch from one of Australia's most successful football clubs to the struggling Queensland Reds.

But the 22-year-old's rapid transition, capped by an eye-catching display for the Australian Barbarians against England on Tuesday night, has him well in the Wallabies mix for the 2011 tournament.

And all while still learning the laws of the 15-man code.

After an impressive debut Super 14 season at outside centre for the Reds, Chambers was solid as a rock against England in defence at Perth's ME Bank Stadium and created line breaks with superb off-loads in attack.

But the quietly-spoken Northern Territory product isn't one to be talking up his Test prospects, especially behind the likes of Rob Horne and utilities Digby Ioane and Adam Ashley-Cooper.

"I'm still learning the game mate and was pretty happy to be out there," he said. "I was pleased to put the jersey on, it was my first representative jersey I've worn.

"At the start of the year my goal was to make the (Reds) 22 and then when I made the 22 it was the 15, and then that was it."

After starting in the Storm's 2009 NRL grand final win over Parramatta, Chambers knew he could make a successful transition after moving to Brisbane to be close to his extended family.

"I knew it was there and I knew I could pick the game up, it was a matter of how long it would take me," he said.

"It's surprised me a bit. I've picked up some areas quicker than others and there are others that I really have to work hard at like the breakdown, and I need to make sure I know the rules of the game."

While he's enjoyed little of the fanfare of code-crossing predecessors Lote Tuqiri, Timana Tahu, Wendell Sailor and Mat Rogers, Chambers said he always intended making the switch after signing with the Storm from rugby nursery Nudgee College.

"I always had a dream to come back and play rugby - it was always on my charter," he said. "Whether it was two years into my rugby league career or 10 years into my rugby league career I always had that dream.

"I played rugby union at school and played Queensland Schoolboys and seeing Quade Cooper and that going so well I thought why not go back over there and have a crack at making it at the top level."

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