Crossing codes pays off for Aus
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 18:15
In just his first season playing Test rugby, Ryan Cross has come on in leaps and bounds, and looks the most likely candidate to fill the midfield gap ahead of Australia's Tri-Nations decider on September 13.
The former National Rugby League (NRL) star has been a replacement in six of his seven appearances for the Wallabies, only making the starting line-up once - against New Zealand in Sydney when captain Stirling Mortlock was out with injury.
Though every time Cross has been called into action, he has done his job in both attack and defence. Unlike fellow league convert Timana Tahu - who's clearly having a rather bumpy transition to union - Cross is on target to be one of Australia's success stories.
"It's hard. I've never really played off the bench so I had to learn how to prepare myself. Every week I've been dealing with it better," Cross told foxsports.com.
"I just prepare myself to play 80 minutes and whenever I come on have to be ready to go. If you are not ready you get caught out pretty quickly. That's just the way I feel.
"The thing I have learned from being on the bench is that when you are thrown on there you have to try and make a difference and give them a bit of energy."
Cross' predicament could change next Saturday however, as he looks to be in line for a call-up to the Wallabies' starting XV for their Tri-Nations decider against the All Blacks in Brisbane.
"You think about it and you prepare as if you are starting, but if I don't I have a job to do obviously," Cross said.
"Robbie [Deans] has his own thoughts and I'm sure he is thinking about it right now.
"If I get the chance I'll take it and that's all I can do."
In the likely absence of an injured Berrick Barnes, Cross looks the most probable candidate to partner Mortlock in the midfield when they face the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium.
Timana Tahu's chances are looking decidedly slim after a shocking debut in Johannesburg, although many feel the classy back learned from that game and will bounce back soon to silence his critics.
Cross on the other hand is reaping the dividends from the hard work he has put in since joining the Western Force in 2007.
"I'm really happy with my progression. I think last year I learned a lot and after the season I knew what I had to improve on," he said.
"At the start of the year my goal was to play for Australia and I have been involved in just about every Test. I've come through this Super 14 with a lot of confidence and I've brought that into the Test matches."
After the disappointment of missing State of Origin selection in his league days, wearing the Wallaby gold jersey has extra meaning for Cross.
"State of Origin is the pinnacle of rugby league. I never quite got there," he said.
"I missed my chance there and it would have been great to do that.
"Now I'm playing union, all that experience of missing out on teams has really made me cherish being in this team and work a bit harder."
Cross, who played for Australia at schoolboy level with Phil Waugh, Adam Freier and Craig Wing, is still new to international rugby, though feels the best is yet to come.
"Hopefully I can kick on from here," he said.
"The body is feeling real good and I've got no excuse not to keep improving."
Whether or not Cross makes the starting XV or comes off the bench next week, he will be a key man for the Wallabies in Brisbane as they look to bounce back from their recent Springbok drubbing.
"This Test is going to be the biggest one of the year for us. There is a lot at stake with the Tri-Nations on the line and trying to keep the Bledisloe Cup alive.
"It will be interesting to see how we react, everyone knows we are under pressure now.
"And we'll have to perform next week otherwise positions are going to be questioned. But I think everyone is going to fire up for this game," Cross added.
