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Rupert Guinness | October 8, 2009
WALLABIES back Ryan Cross says his self-belief is as strong as ever despite the frustration of his limited Test appearances this season. And he plans to show it in today's trial match for spots on the end-of-season tour.
Cross - whose Super 14 season with the Western Force has been followed by a less than satisfying run of four Tests compared to the 11 of last year - will certainly walk off after the trial at St Ignatius College in Riverview knowing he has had the chance to prove he is worth a touring berth.
While combinations in the teams will change during the trial that is open to the public and kicks off at 9.30am, he will oppose Adam Ashley-Cooper at outside-centre. Later, chances are he will also get his time against Rob Horne, who in turn could be switched to inside-centre against Kurtley Beale.
Cross is not alone in facing a determining match-up in a game where the two sides will be led by Wallabies coach Robbie Deans's two assistants - Jim Williams, whose line-up has been dubbed the Wombats, and Richard Graham who anointed his side the Possums.
Every player will be fighting for his place on the tour that will see the 35-man squad depart on October 24 for Japan to play a Test against the All Blacks in Tokyo then travel to Britain for the grand slam tour with games against England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
But, given his last Test in the starting XV was against South Africa in Perth on August 29, Cross is hungry to show he has more to offer.
''It's been a bit all over the shop since the Super 14,'' Cross said after the two sides went through their final run. ''It's been frustrating because I felt I made a lot of progress last year and haven't had many opportunities this year. That's the way it goes I suppose. I just hope I can get another shot.''
Ashley-Cooper is not expecting anything less than Test-level intensity from Cross, despite his lack of time on field in the Wallabies strip. ''It will be tough. He will be giving it everything he has got. I remember coming across him against the Force and he spilled me,'' Ashley-Cooper said.
As rare as internal trial matches are for the Wallabies, Cross said he had experienced quite a few of them during his days in rugby league when he played in the NRL for the Roosters when first and second grade played each other.
''Essentially, it is going to be like a game so you prepare that way,'' Cross said. ''Everyone has been under pressure this week. It's a big opportunity and I think everyone will be fired up.''
Ashley-Cooper concurred, saying: ''Some of the hardest games you play are in-house trials because everyone knows everyone. We are taking it seriously. They are taking it very, very seriously. Dingo [Deans] names the side [tomorrow] and this is the last chance [to be selected].''
No one has been more psyched for the match than the two coaches who will step up as Deans steps back to observe and take notes.
While both teams will be playing patterns from the Wallabies' game manual, the difference in preparatory methods between the coaches was clear. After training yesterday, Graham took the Possums, who include Cross and will wear gold jerseys, to a closed meeting.
''We are proud and competitive people and don't want to come second best,'' the Wallabies skills coach said.
The Wallabies forwards coach Williams took a more relaxed approach. After training he led the Wombats, who will wear green jerseys, to the hotel buffet for lunch. But when asked what was important about today's game, he said: ''First and foremost, to make sure we come out on top''.
Today's match also doubles as a fundraiser for the Samoan and Tongan tsunami victims.
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