No Test bigger than this
24 Jul 2008
Ryan Cross is preparing for the biggest game of his life when he faces the All Blacks in the absence of injured Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock.
Mortlock, try-scorer against the Springboks last week, was ruled out with concussion, giving Cross his first Test start after three appearances from the bench. The Western Force No 13 will line-up against fellow rookie Richard Kahui, who will start for the Blacks for the second time.
Cross, an ex-Sydney Roosters rugby league player, said the Bledisloe Cup would dwarf the three finals he’s played in before in that format of the game.
“It is bigger because you’re playing for your country,” Cross told the media. “Playing for your club side in a grand final is a bit different, but playing for your country against New Zealand is definitely the biggest game in my career. Competing against the All Blacks – it can’t get any bigger than that.
“I’m also not so much a ‘leaguie’ as everyone thinks, because I did play both codes growing up. I grew up watching All Black Tests, and just can’t wait to play against them.”
Cross believes his partnership with Force team-mate Matt Giteau will be an advantage when the pressure is on.
“Even when I was coming on during those earlier Tests, he [Giteau] was willing to give me the ball,” Cross said. “That’s a big plus for me. If he sees me there, he’ll give it to me.
“That’s the main reason I went across to the Force, knowing that he was there, and would be a long-term player in Test rugby. I was hoping a combination would be created, and if I made the step to the Wallabies, it would make it a bit easier.”
12 Comments
24 Jul 2008, 08:23 am
Dragooooonnnnnnsss!
24 Jul 2008, 08:34 am
they’re so bloody big until we give them a snot klap later on.
24 Jul 2008, 08:36 am
Cross is a good player and it would be nice to have him on our side. We don’t have too many outside centres at the moment.
24 Jul 2008, 09:34 am
#3 kaksioek: He aint that special, just the ball is more intelligently moved from scrum to 13 …
24 Jul 2008, 09:35 am
Wow! I’m currently number 1 on the Keo score prediction-game ladder!
24 Jul 2008, 09:41 am
I reckon Cross has a lot more to offer than Mortlock. Its good that they are bringing him on steadily as old Mortie is getting along in years.
24 Jul 2008, 09:43 am
#4 bananas:
Running down the best wing in the world and dislodging the ball out of his hands in a try-saving tackle is pretty special!
24 Jul 2008, 11:15 am
#5 TheTackler: I was wondering about that – a few weeks ago you were harping on about how kak the fake-TV prizes are etc. I guess you will just give your prize away if you win?
In that case, I will be happy to take that fake, kak, Korean TV off your hands…
24 Jul 2008, 12:10 pm
don’t 4get the bloke on the bench.. Timana Tahu..(ex league) very explosive player.. Barnes not gonna wear that test jumper for long.. Tahu and Cross in the centres soon.. the Qld Reds might pinch another league player.. Karmichael Hunt.. from the Broncos..
24 Jul 2008, 12:21 pm
the Aussie league players are now weighing up their options.. esp with Tahu’s rise in union within his 1st year..and the big bucks.. to think Henry knocked Tahu back last year when Tahu told him he wanted to switch codes and play for the Crusaders..
24 Jul 2008, 14:10 pm
what ever happened to the stormers league signing what was his name luke something
24 Jul 2008, 18:17 pm
#8 Kerneels: Korean TVs are my very favourite TVs!
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