0
RYAN Cross has set his sights on toppling incumbent Test centre Rob Horne at both state and Wallabies level after signing on to come home and play for the Waratahs next year.
The eight-Test Wallabies centre will return to the SFS - where he played nine seasons as a Roosters star - on a one-year deal, leaving the Western Force after four years in Perth.
Cross, who missed Australian selection for the June Tests, is determined to win back a spot in the Wallabies squad for next year's World Cup and believes a NSW homecoming can bring out his best form. The first hurdle will be displacing Horne at NSW, the current Test No.13.
"Being at the Force wasn't putting any pressure on me," Cross said last night. "The move to a strong set-up will be good for me. Rob is in the Test team at the moment so that's a big challenge but one I am ready to take on."
Cross, 30, said he'd been contemplating a move from mid-way through the Super 14 season but only began talking with NSW last week. An offer was put forward and the deal was finalised yesterday.
"Hopefully I can start enjoying it more playing finals rugby for a strong side like the Waratahs," Cross said.
Cross played inside centre for the Force this year - and the Wallabies - and is being looked at by NSW as a utility who can play both centre spots and wing.
Waratahs coach Chris Hickey said he'd spelt out the strength of the NSW backline to Cross and was impressed he was willing to fight for a spot.
"He was prepared to back himself, which is always a good sign," Hickey said.
In other news, Australian rugby officials have poured cold water on a proposal to play an IPL-style rugby tournament in South Africa from 2012 onwards.
Reports of the idea, which is pushed by former Springbok turned coach Rassie Eramus, surfaced yesterday and would see a three-week competition in January featuring the "200 best players in the world". Games would reportedly be 40-minutes long and have amended rules to limit kicking and be more exciting.
Australia were among those named as possible stars in eight privately owned franchises but it appears the promoter's chances of getting co-operation from the ARU - and likely the NZRU and SARU - is almost nil.
An ARU spokesman said yesterday that "contractual commitments to broadcasters and sponsors" to participate in Super 15 took precedence and that no player could be approached while under an ARU or state contract.
Organisers want players to negotiate a window in new contracts but it would seem unlikely any teams would let their stars play just weeks out from the tournament.
Northern stars would be in the middle of their seasons.
"To be honest, I couldn't see us sending any players over there," NSW coach Chris Hickey said.
http://forum.planet-rugby.com/index....95558&start=0&