Melbourne centre Will Chambers has won a ringing endorsement from Kangaroos captain Cameron Smith for a call-up to the Australian team.

The Storm centre scored a try as he played an integral role in their 17-16 win over the Sydney Roosters at AAMI Park on Saturday night.

His performance earned high praise from his NRL skipper Smith.

“I think he’s shown with his performances in the first six or seven weeks of this season that he’s the best in the competition,” Smith said.

“He’s taken his game to another level this year.

“He took huge steps last year when he got an opportunity to play State of Origin and it gave him a lot of confidence.”

After being 18th man numerous times, Chambers finally won his first Queensland cap in game three last year.

Smith said he should again represent the Maroons and was also worthy of playing for the Kangaroos in their Test against New Zealand in Brisbane on May 1.

With injury question marks over Brisbane’s Justin Hodges and Canterbury’s Josh Morris, Chambers deserves to be in the mix.

“He’s certainly going to be well in the mix for Origin but I think his name needs to be involved in discussions for the Australian side no doubt,” Smith said.

“A guy that’s playing very good every week, I’d be putting his name up for a green and gold jumper for sure.”

Smith said Chambers, now 26, had matured and the three years he spent away from the club before returning in 2012 playing rugby had taught him a lot.

“He knew how much he missed the game of rugby league and how much the Melbourne Storm meant to him and when he came back he was much more mature and he certainly applies himself a lot more seriously now.”