Ryan Cross close to rugby code switch
June 13, 2006 - 3:29PM
Cross by name and cross by nature - Roosters league centre Ryan Cross is expected to cross codes on Wednesday and also announce he will cross the country.
The 26-year-old is set to sign a two-year deal with the Australian Rugby Union and play Super 14 for the Perth-based Western Force.
The Force are confident they have done enough to lure Cross from Sydney's eastern suburbs and out of the clutches of the NSW Waratahs.
If he heads west it will be the fourth big-name league player the Waratahs have missed out on following high-profile pitches at Andrew Johns, Braith Anasta and Mark Gasnier.
Force chief executive Peter O'Meara has done his bit to rub salt into NSW wounds, and also take a shot at the Brumbies, by saying Cross didn't want to start his career in a backline "on a steady decline".
O'Meara pointed to the Force's exciting crop of backline talent including early 20-somethings Matt Giteau, Cameron Shepherd, Drew Mitchell, Matt Henjak, Digby Ioane and Lachlan MacKay, all with international experience.
It's a backline for the Force fans to savour, not forgetting Wallabies three-quarter Scott Staniforth who can play wing or in either centre position.
"(Cross) is pretty impressed with our football program and how well our strategies are coming together for next year," O'Meara said.
"That's pretty important to him, that he plays in a backline on the way up rather than a side that is in a steady decline.
"Some of the backlines in Australia are ageing but he's 26 and would like to establish himself in the sport with a group of young men who will be integral to Australia's long-term plans.
"I think this will be a strong catalyst to attract him but we've still got to hear."
The scratchy comments drew an instant return fire from the Brumbies and Waratahs who both believe Cross's 2007 World cup ambitions would be best served with them.
"I think that's ridiculous," said Brumbies CEO Andrew Fagan.
"The Perth backline needed to be on the way up. The team did finish last in 2006, there's only one direction you would hope them to go."
NSW boss Fraser Neill, who is hopeful but not expecting Cross's signature, said: "I think Peter has a very warped sense of humour and poor understanding of mathematics.
"Our side next year would probably be about as young and with more experience."
While the Force have actively pursued Cross for two months, the Waratahs were seen as slight favourites last week due to the player's Sydney background and their recent form.
Cross broke Sydney rugby fans hearts once before, in 1997 when he decided to sign with league after being a star of the Australian Schoolboys rugby side at fullback.
His return to rugby was sealed last week when the irritated and impatient Roosters withdrew their offer for the centre.
