Cross a baa-baa first, Force player second?

[Moses]

FORMER Sydney Roosters rugby league centre Ryan Cross will launch his rugby union career before Christmas as part of a star-studded World XV taking on South Africa in England.

The Daily Telegraph learned last night Cross has accepted an invitation to play in the December 3 clash in Leicester and is only awaiting clearance from the Australian Rugby Union to confirm his appearance.

Just three months after ending a nine-year term in the NRL, Cross is planning to walk in the footsteps of another high-profile convert who returned to the game of his schoolboy days surrounded by the elite of the 15-man code.

Mat Rogers, after quitting rugby league, played for the Barbarians against Australia in Cardiff in November 2001.

He debuted for New South Wales Waratahs in Super 12 the following February.

It is understood Western Force, which has recruited Cross for next year's Super 14, has no objections to its prized signing making the dash to the UK for a clash that will close the Springboks' tour.


But the ARU is indicating it wants to view a full list of Australian invitees before giving its approval for Cross to take part in the match.

"Ryan is very excited about the prospect of playing in a game of that stature," his manager John Fordham said last night.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,...-23217,00.html

[Sagerian]

Sounds good, I remember watching Rogers play against Australia off the bench, he did alright if I recall.

I'm not sold on Cross, but time's gonna tell on that one I guess (or at least that's what they say about Henjak so I guess the same is true here).

[Darren]

How does someone who hasn't played rugby for a decade get an invite to play for the baabaas?

Good luck to you Ryan, looking forward to getting a preview!

[Moses]

sounds like a publicity stunt to me... still it's worked on me and I'm looking forward to the game...

[JediKnight]

[QUOTE=Coach]How does someone who hasn't played rugby for a decade get an invite to play for the baabaas?QUOTE]

Definitely a publicity stunt....it'll help with the viewing figures Down Under (not sure they care about Cross in NH - sorry Ryan!). IMHO it's the same as the debate on whether he should be in the Wallabies touring squad to NH (ARU policy is not to select players who are not playing their rugby in Australia and therefore took the correct decision). Good luck to the lad & maybe he'll pick up some tips from the other players in the Baa-Baas.

[Moses]

agreed 100% JK, they might also pick up a bit of a league audience in Sydney if they promote it right.. but then again if it's on at 5pm in Leicester that's like 1 or 2am in Sydney and 9 or 10pm in Perth on a Sunday night/Monday morning - assuming they even show it on TV...

[Sagerian]

(not sure they care about Cross in NH - sorry Ryan!)

Not sure they care about Cross in SH really either.

[James]

Perhaps I am wrong, but I don't think the World XV is the same as the Baa-Baas. The Baa-baas uniform is black and white and the World XV is multi-coloured. And otherwise Crossy would be playing against Australia too. Eitherway I'd love to see him bounce some South African heads.

[Darren]

Not sure they care about Cross in SH really either.

Perhaps ... Force supporters may be a bit reticent in their support for Cross - all we know about him is that he is an ex-leaguie who will probably do one of our favourite sons from season 2006 out of a starting position. I'm sure as soon as he takes the field in a Force jersey, we'll all get behind him 100%

[Shaun]

Looking forward to the game and the season to come

[JediKnight]

Looking forward to the game and the season to come

That has to be the most intelligent thing you've put on this site, Shaun!!!! And not a word spelt incorrectly either. Well done....you'll go far!!!

[Shaun]

no way I've contributed a lot more in other forums JK, well at least I hope I have...