Manly boy Chris Nero will finally get chance to play alongside idol Steve Menzies – thousands of miles from home and a decade after thinking his dream chance had gone.

As a starry-eyed kid, the Bulls centre watched Menzies grace Brookvale Oval and was later on the famous Sydney club’s books at the same time as their record-breaking legend.

However, Nero never actually lined up for his hometown Sea Eagles, forging his career with St George and Huddersfield Giants before arriving at Odsal last year.

In 2009 though, Nero will achieve one of his big ambitions when he takes to the field with former Kangaroos great Menzies in Super League.

“It’s funny how things happen,” said the Aussie.

“I’m from Manly and was a junior at Manly so it’s all a bit surreal how I end up playing with ‘Beaver’ in Bradford colours across the other side of the world!”

Ironically, the pair have developed a firm friendship over the years so Menzies, 35, had a familiar face to greet him when he flew in from Sydney last month.

“Before leaving Manly for St George I obviously had quite a few friends there who went on to play first grade with him,” Nero explained.

“Chad Randall, who’s now at Harlequins, was one of them. He’s my best mate and good friends with Steve so I knew him through him.

“We’re from the same area too and have played a bit of golf together.

“It’s great he’s here now though and it’s really given me a bit of a lift. As well as being exciting to have a player like Steve around, he’s a champion bloke too.”

Nero, 27, admitted the silky second-rower – the highest try-scoring forward in Australian history – was the perfect example to follow during his early days at Manly.

“Beaver was probably the fella I looked up to most,” he said.

“I was a back-rower growing up, like he was, and he was part of that great Manly side in the mid-90s. There were people like Cliff Lyons, Geoff Toovey and Des Hasler around and, as a junior coming in later, it was unbelievable; Beaver was one of the best.

“I never did get to play with him at Manly but it’ll be great to do it for Bradford.”

Their first competitive game together could see another immediate Manly reunion – Bulls’ Super League opener takes place at Randall’s Harlequins on February 8.