A lock, Chandler got his start in provincial rugby with Manawatu, before moving on to Auckland in 1993. He was sent off in Auckland's 1993 NPC final win over Otago for punching Josh Kronfeld, breaking the flanker's cheekbone. At the end of the season, Chandler was part of Auckland's development tour of the United Kingdom. He made four appearances for the Auckland Blues in the 1996 Super 12 season, including the grand final win over the Sharks. Between 1996 and 1999, Chandler played professional rugby in England with the Northampton Saints. He won an NPC second divisiontitle with the Bay of Plenty in 2000.