Canberra Vikings' coach Tim Sampson spent the final year of his decorated 14-year playing career as the Ballymore Tornadoes' flyhalf in the ARC.

Queensland-capped Sampson played at the Tornadoes alongside a litter of future Wallabies, including Will Genia and James Horwill who would become Australian captains.

Sampson played one game in the capital against the Vikings when he "got pumped" against a teenage Christian Lealiifano and 20-year-old Fainga'a twins Anthony and Saia.

A decade later and in his first year of NRC coaching Sampson sits primed to deliver the Vikings their their first title.

Canberra finished minor premiers and will host the Perth Spirit in the first semi-final at Viking Park on Saturday.

"It will be great for Canberra and the ACT region if we can win a national competition for the first time, but especially for the clubs and playing squad and staff," Sampson said.

"Everyone has worked very hard for this and it really has been an enjoyable few months, if we can get the reward it will be really special."

The defunct ARC returned reincarnated in 2014 as the NRC and Sampson said the players running around 10 years ago prove how important the high-tempo competition is for Australian rugby.

"When you look back at the names floating around in that 2007 tournament with Quade Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Will Genia, Berrick Barnes and James Horwill - you see it's a genuine pathway," Sampson said.

"I remember playing against guys like Andrew Walker and Chris Latham who were genuine international stars, they were outstanding and I'm sure I wasn't the only one who learnt a lot from playing against guys like that."

Sampson represented Queensland in games against Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and an England side which included bright-eyed teenager named Jonny Wilkinson.

"That was pretty cool playing against Jonny, he was superb, but at that stage he wasn't that well known because he was 18 and it was his first tour," Sampson said.

"I was with Sunnybank in Brisbane for 23 years won the clubs first ever premiership and then a second one in my final season, so I was very satisfied there.

"In terms of the next level and playing Super rugby I was very patient and knocked back a few opportunities to play overseas to try and pull on the Reds jersey and thankfully I did."

Sampson spent two years at Irish semi-professional club Wanderers and said he was satisfied with his playing career but hopes to rise further as a coach.

Following his playing days Sampson moved straight into coaching and after guiding Brisbane powerhouse Easts to the 2015 grand final, he left for Canberra to join the Tuggeranong Vikings.

The 41-year-old saw immediate success in the capital, winning the John I Dent Cup last year and the victories have continued at the Vikings this season.

Sampson said win, lose or draw against Perth on Saturday and he will be staying put in the Canberra, but admits he harbours ambitions to test himself overseas one day.

"It's about enjoying what you do and the family is very settled here and I'm really enjoying where I'm at with my coaching," Sampson said.

"I do it because it's a passion and I love the sport, I started playing rugby when I was four and haven't had a year off, it's just in my blood.

"I have aspirations to go as high as I can with my coaching and I think I've been patient with it, my ambition is to coach at Super level before I look to move overseas and I still have that drive in me."

NATIONAL RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL:

Canberra Vikings v Perth Spirit at Viking Park, 7pm.