Canberra Raiders Cup: Terry Campese always wanted to return to the club that made him

Campese joins the Blues as first grade's captain-coach next year looking to add to the Canberra Raiders Cup premiership medallion he won 14 years ago.

After winning that title as a fresh-faced 18-year-old, Campese went on to play for his state and country.

Now 32, Campese insists he never would have reached those lofty heights if it wasn't for the efforts of Mick Mantelli and Ron Giteau.

Campese was playing rugby union for the Queanbeyan Whites before then-Blues coach Mantelli and his right-hand man Giteau convinced the the promising youngster to jump ship.

"At that stage I was enjoying rugby league a bit more than the union and just thought I'd give it a shot, and just haven't looked back, really," Campese said.

"If it wasn't for the guys at the Blues I probably wouldn't be in the position I am. I probably wouldn't have had a career that I've loved and I'm proud of as well."

Campese has spent the past two seasons playing for Hull KR in the English Super League, but the club's contracts became null and void after the Rovers were relegated to the Championship on October 1.

With the family missing home, Campese saw a golden opportunity when he heard Blues coach Simon Woolford was heading to Newcastle.

"I gave [Simon] a quick call to see if that was the case or if it was just rumours," Campese said.

"He confirmed it and I just asked him who was going to go for the Blues job because it's something that I always thought I'd love to have done."

Campese sought out club officials and within 24 hours the deal was done.

Coaching the Blues is the first step in Campese's life after playing professional football. Living on the other side of the clipboard has been on his mind for nearly six years.

"Obviously when you talk about post-football and what happens after rugby, I've been thinking about [coaching] for a couple of years now," Campese said.

"My passion has always been rugby league… and this is a good first, I think. We see with Simon now making the transition to the Knights reserve grade system.

"Hopefully I get experience here and be successful and hopefully some opportunities come down the track.

"It's something that I'll give 110 per cent in and it'll be good to give back to the club that gave me an opportunity to start my rugby league career."

Before donning the blue of his junior club, Campese will wear that of the Italian national team as he captains The Azzuri in this month's World Cup qualifiers.

Italy face Serbia and Wales with two wins guaranteeing the nation a 2017 World Cup berth. One loss and The Azzuri could be forced into a play-off.

"It's something I've always wanted to do," Campese said.

"I represented them in the sevens when I was a bit younger and always wanted to put that jumper back on and get the chance."