Ryan Cross understands he’s rolled the dice in joining a star-studded NSW Waratahs team in a last-ditch bid to make the Wallabies Rugby World Cup squad.
Cross decided moving from the struggling Western Force to the Waratahs would increase his profile in the minds of Australian selectors.
But by linking with a team choc-full of backline talent, Cross is risking it all.
He will have to fight hard to even get quality game time and his bid to play in a World Cup may be foiled by spending a lot of time sitting on the bench in the Super 15s.
Cross’ task will be made difficult given Berrick Barnes’ desperation to solidify his Wallabies inside centre position by playing well for NSW, and rising star Rob Horne’s anticipated return from injury at No.13 for round one of the season.
However, with Cross’ footballing future uncertain after this year, the 31-year-old is confident he can step up to the mark and reclaim top form.
“Everyone’s played for the Wallabies just about in the backline, so it’s going to be hard to get a spot,” Cross admitted.
“I’ve just got to wait for my opportunity and play well and take my opportunities.
“(The World Cup) is on the back of everyone’s mind. Last season I didn’t have the best year over at the Force, so I’ll just be looking to enjoy my rugby and hopefully have a good year.”
Cross is relishing being back in the familiar territory of Sydney’s eastern suburbs.
The Waratahs share a base with his long-time NRL club the Sydney Roosters, and the centre’s wife and kids are pleased to be back home.
He admits he felt out of sight out of mind playing for the lowly Force, and the heavy travel and isolation eventually took its toll.
Cross believes the Waratahs star-power can rub off and help him get back to the Test arena which has eluded him since 2008.
“Whenever you’re losing games it’s never easy to stand out so I think if you’re in a winning side it’d help everyone,” he said.
“The Waratahs have had a good record and have obviously got a strong team. Hopefully we can go a step further in the semi finals.
“Having better players around me is going to help me.
“Obviously playing in the World Cup is the pinnacle of the game so it’s a big year for everyone.
“If the Waratahs can go well, and we’re aiming pretty high, then I’m sure a lot of the boys will get in it and hopefully we can get amongst it.”
AndyS
Guest
If the message that you have to play in Sydney to be noticed, and that certainly seems to be the case, then the Kwik cup and all similar comps will never amount to anything.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Hi Peter, The problem with Turner is that he could be one of the worlds premier Wingers, he has all the attributes after all - Pace, Size, Defensive ability, a Kick, he even has a pretty good passing game - but I believe the NSW set up has stifled his natural game and his instinct. He seems to just sit on his wing and wait for the ball and doesn't go hunting. this is not what you want from a SuperRugby winger. conmpared to his debut season when he when looking for action in every second phase. Hynes on the other hand is an excellent SuperRugby 15, and an ok winger. At 15 Hynes really injects him self into the play and goes hunting for the ball. when placed on the wing he is very similar to what turner does and sits out there waiting. I actually think it would be beneficial for Turner's game to head off to Perth or Brisbane where they trust their back-lines a bit more. he would be given a free pass at these two teams and could really get his mojo back.
Working Class Rugger
Guest
Player's go where the need to. At the moment the Shute Shield and Brisbane are the two best followed closely by the John Dent Cup. Give it time and the Kwik Cup will develop. Its coming from a long way back but as the current crop of juniors that are emerging filter up into grade the competition will gain its due respect.
Gary
Guest
Or ignore their home Premier Grade competition and go and play in Sydney to get noticed! That is a disgrace. The selctors should be watching all of the comps. All games are videoed after all.
Denby
Guest
If the Waratahs run the ball they will be devastating. I see them making the finals if they play the running game. Add Barnes, Horne, Beale, Turner and Mitchell together and it creates havoc with ball in hand. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
TommyM
Guest
I can't see Cross cracking the 15. Runs sideways and often misses or falls off tackles (especially on the try line).
Blinky Bill of Bellingen
Guest
I so hope that you are right about Tahs management & coach finally developing big hairy gonads. The stye of the Tahs in the past has never failed to depress. I think most fans would tolerate losses if we just got out there and played with some confidence and used the talent at our disposal. Hopefully Barnesy will carry on his excellent form from Shute & Wallabies & stick with the ball in hand style, instead of booting the pill away as first option. Mix it yes but stop this boot, boot, boot stuff. It's boring, predictable and just hands the ball back to the other mob that we're trying to flog.
Denby
Guest
Cross is alright, at super level he will be a very handy backup and provide some good depth in the Waratahs backline. Carter plays like he came from league, he just does hitups. I do not mind Halangahu at pivot, Barnes at inside and Horne or cross at outside. If Hickey is unable to stand up to a player who is not even close to be a star in the team then he is certainly not strong enough to be coach. I have a strong feeling that the board/CEO of the Waratahs have spoken and may be insisting the team play running rugby or else. After the crowd figures from the Waratahs from last year were so low and seeing how the crowd figures for the Reds went on a serious increase, it will (should) be the main goal of the organisation. Hickey has already made the right sounds about focusing on playing an attacking style. They certainly have the talent to play that game they just need to deal with Mr Waugh.
Peter K
Guest
agree. As I noted above the ball has difficulty getting past Carter, he hardly ever passes it, and when he does it is slow and unreliable. He totally stifles the attack. Out of the back 3 of the red and tahs I rate the players in this order 1) Beale 2) Ioane 3) Mitchell 4) Davies 5) Turner 5) Hynes (not a typo too close to call) However overall the Reds backline is better IMO, Halves are better, and Chambers is better, I rate Horne or Cross better than Faingaa but Carter will be there so a mute point.
Peter K
Guest
big call considering the Tahs have been the best Aussie side last few years. They beat every aussie team last year. The top 2 will be between Qld and NSW. 3 and 4 between ACT and Melbourne.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
I have Faith in Liam Gill, he has the goods but is still very young.
Rockin Rod
Guest
yeah QLD have no 7, Robinson and Tomiki, your kidding. Alcock is the best 7 in NSW, but should move state unions with phil there.
Phil
Guest
Reds have signed Beau Robinson and they have Lei Tomiki both former Waratahs. The Waratahs big mistake was not resigning young Chris Alcock from Gordon who had a blinder in his debut when Sir Phil was injured last year -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Rockin Rod
Guest
Reds dont have a 7 ???
Phil
Guest
I left at the end of 02 -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Rockin Rod
Guest
What year did you leave sydney uni Phil?
Phil
Guest
The best way of describing Phil Waugh is that he is what Ricky Ponting is to Australian cricket - Ricky was told by selectors to bat down the order at the start of the series yet he wanted it done his way. Waugh is the same he is given a game plan then throws it away and plays the style that he wants to play - punch it up the middle and kick it to the corner. Look for marked improvement when Waugh leaves as early as the end of this year when he misses selection for the world cup -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Chris K
Guest
There is definitely no coincidence that while Phil Waugh was injured, the Tahs were on a winning streak.
Wall-Nut
Guest
And what makes me laugh more about Phil Waugh is he still thinks he can make Wallabies! What I want to know is why he had so much influence. Is he making it with the kings daughter? -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Agree with Phill Waugh being a disruptive influence at the Tah's. he has turned form a talented player into a pig-headed player who cannot take criticism or be open to new idea. But that still doesn't discount the fact that Carter is slow, cant pass, cant step, cant kick and can sometime break the line. he is, as Peter K says, a Carthorse.