A teacher at Erindale College, Henry was coach of the 2001 ACT Schoolboys team that was the first representative league side in which Campese ever played.

After being chosen in the Australian under-16s rugby union team the year before, the now 24-year-old Canberra five-eighth looked set to follow in the footsteps of his famous uncle, David Campese.

"I played representative rugby union all my life, and I loved it, so I always wanted to be a union player when I was growing up," Campese said on the eve of tomorrow night's qualifying final against Cronulla.

"I played league and union all my life but before that, if it came on the same day, I would always choose union. Neil actually got me in and said, 'Are you going to be serious about this or is league still going to be second to union?' and I said, 'I'll give it a crack.'

"I haven't actually spoken to him about it because we never went too well, I think we lost every game, but that's when I started to enjoy league more. I'd always wanted to play professional footy, and when I left school the year after that I had to make a decision.

"There was the Brumbies Academy, and I got offered to go to Sydney and play for Randwick. My uncle actually asked me to go up there, and he was going to look after me, but I always loved watching the Raiders when I was growing up so that was the decision I made."

It's a story that typifies the way that the Raiders have taken the NRL by storm in the lead-up to the finals after a season in which the club has been ravaged by injuries and off-field controversies.

Like most of his little-known teammates, Campese just needed a chance and someone to show faith in him.

The only difference, of course, was that his name was one that is recognised wherever he goes because of his uncle, who played 101 Tests for the Wallabies and is considered one of the greats.

"When I was a bit younger I used to try and do a goosestep but I never had the pace or the agility that he had," said Campese, whose mother Lisa is David's sister.

"When I was younger we used to go and watch him at every opportunity and I was the ball boy at his testimonial match. All I really remember is getting my tracksuit and running out to see the players up close. It was awesome. I got to meet all the stars from around the world, like Sean Fitzpatrick and Jonah Lomu, and I remember when Jonah Lomu scored a mad try I ran the tee out to my uncle because he was kicking the goal, and he just said to me, "Big boy, isn't he?"'

With Terry topping the scales at 100 kilograms and standing 185 centimetres, it's something his uncle could say about the young playmaker.

"It's great for him that he's starting to find his feet because obviously having the surname he has, it was going to be difficult for him," David Campese told the Herald from South Africa where he now lives.

"He's always been a Raiders man, and through his hard work he has achieved what he wanted to achieve, so good on him. I just hope the Raiders realise what they've got with him."

When the Raiders withdrew a contract offer earlier this season to pursue Trent Barrett, Campese told his nephew to head overseas but he eventually re-signed and couldn't be happier.

"My mum told me to stick in there so that's what I did and here we are in sixth spot," Campese said. "I think it comes down to confidence and the fact we're all confident in each other and know that we can do the job." The who? Canberra's unknown support act rocks Fullback: David Milne (22): A Griffith junior who grew up playing AFL. A NSW schoolboy 100 metres finalist.

Wing: Adrian Purtell (23): Joined the Raiders from Albury in 2002 but has been hampered by injury and illness, including glandular fever, a broken collarbone and DVT.

Centre: Colin Best (29): Was a Canberra fan as a kid but was a Shark and Dragon before joining the Raiders last season. Has signed with Souths.

Centre: Joel Monaghan (26): Returned home this year after a stint with Sydney Roosters.

Wing: Brett Kelly (25): Nephew of Canterbury great Peter Kelly, his father Gerard played nine games for the Dogs but returned home to Eden after a serious knee injury.

Halfback: Glenn Buttriss (22): Recruited from Cootamundra six years ago as a hooker/lock and has never played halfback.

Prop: Dane Tilse (23): The son of Raiders foundation player Mick Tilse. Grew up in Scone but joined Canberra after being sacked by Newcastle for an off-field incident.

Hooker: Ryan Hinchcliffe (23): From Temora. Recently signed with Melbourne.

Prop: Scott Logan (32): From Sunnybank, a club affiliated with Raiders feeder club Souths Logan, has also played for Souths and the Roosters.

Second-rower: Nigel Plum (25): A Wagga junior, he was recruited from the Roosters.

Second-rower: Joe Picker (20): Considered a future rep star, he has played for the Junior Roos.

Lock: Alan Tongue (27): Captain of the year, he leads by example on and off the field.

Interchange

Josh Miller (25): A keen fisherman from Forbes.

Marshall Chalk (27): Recruited from Ipswich, has signed with Celtic Crusaders in Wales.

Neville Costigan (23): Signed after he was sacked from Brisbane, he will be a Dragon next year.

Trevor Thurling (24): Raiders junior played with the Dogs before returning in 2006.