Ryan Cross

Ryan Cross(born 6 October 1979) is a formerRugby Unionfootballer forRacing Metro 92after signing fromUSA Perpignanin the FrenchTop 14.He previously played for theSydney Roostersin theNational Rugby League(NRL) competition, theWestern Forceand theNSW WaratahsinSuper Rugbyand theAustralia national rugby union team.

Ryan Cross

Personal information
Full name	Ryan Cross
Born	(1979-10-06)6 October 1979 Sydney, New South Wales,Australia
Playing information
Height	191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	102 kg (16 st 1 lb)
Rugby league
Position	Centre,Wing
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1998–06 Sydney Roosters 143 85 4 0 348 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2004–05 City Origin 2 2 0 0 8 2005 Prime Minister's XIII 1 2 0 0 8
Rugby union
Position	Outside Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2007–10 Western Force 49 15 0 0 35 2007–08 Perth Spirit 8 3 0 0 15 2011 NSW Waratahs 15 4 0 0 20 2011–12 USA Perpignan 7 0 0 0 0 2012 Racing Metro 92 4 3 0 0 0 Total 83 25 0 0 70 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1996–97 Australia Schoolboys 3 4 0 0 0 2006–07 Australia A 5 4 0 0 20 2008–10 Wallabies 19 6 0 0 30
Source:RLP,ITS RugbyandYesterday's Hero
Education	Waverley College
Father	Paul Cross
Relatives	Clay Cross(brother)

Early life

Son of former professionalrugby leaguefootballerPaul Cross,aCoogee Randwick Wombatsjunior who played on thewingfor the club in the 1964 and 1965 seasons, Ryan was a product ofWaverley College,and was a member of theAustralian Schoolsside in both 1996 and 1997, some of his teammates being futureWallabiesMatt Dunning,Adam Freier,David Lyons,George Smith,Phil WaughandCraig Wing.But he decided to switch codes and joined theSydney Roostersrugby leagueclub. His brotherClayis an international shot put athlete.

Rugby league career

Cross made his first-grade debut on 17 April 1998, scoring two tries against theManly-Warringah Sea Eagles.After a promising start to his league career, including an appearance at centre in the2000 NRL Grand Final,theRoosters'first in 20 years, he had two serious leg injuries. A broken leg saw him miss much of the2001 NRL season.Just a few matches into the2002 NRL seasonhe suffered a major knee injury that kept him out for the remainder of that year. That season, Sydney Roosters won the Premiership, their first in 27 years. Cross returned in the2003 NRL season,finishing as the club's leadingtry-scorer. He played at centre in the Roosters' loss to thePanthersin the2003 NRL Grand Final.

In 2004 Cross was chosen to representCity Origin.He then went on to play for the Roosters at centre in their loss to cross-Sydney rivals theBulldogsin the2004 NRL Grand Final.

In 2005 Cross was again chosen to representCity Origin.He was suspended for six weeks for eye-gougingParramatta'sGlenn Morrisonin a match which the Roosters won 12–8. His absence proved costly for the Roosters as they just missed the finals that year.Cross was named the2005 Sydney Roosters seasonplayer of the year.

In June 2006, after a period of speculation and rumour, Cross signed a two-year deal with theAustralian Rugby Unionand went toPerthto play for the newSuper Rugbyside, theWestern Force.Cross left the Roosters as the fifth-highest try scorer in the club's history, with 85 tries from his 143 matches. He also played in three losing Grand Finals for the club.

Rugby union career

Cross made his debutSuper Rugbywith theWestern Forceon 2 February 2007, against theHighlanders.He went on to play every match that season and scored three tries.

After an outstanding2008 Super 14 season,in which he won The West Australian/Rosendorff Emirates Western Force Player of the Year Award,Cross was called up for national duty by newWallabiescoachRobbie Deans.

He scored his first Wallaby try againstFranceat theSuncorp Stadium,Brisbane,in his second test on 5 July 2008, having come on as a Second-Half replacement. He followed this with another try later on in the game, both came fromMatt Giteaupasses.

Ryan Cross got his full test debut againstNew Zealandon 26 July in place of the injuredStirling Mortlock.He scored the first try which contributed to the 34–19 victory over the All Blacks.

In 2011 Cross signed with theNSW Waratahsand played in 15 matches during the2011 Super Rugby season.After playing off the bench in the first few matches, Cross then played the remaining matches as the regular starting centre, including the semi-final loss to theAuckland BluesinAuckland.

At the conclusion of the 2011 Super Rugby season Cross signed forUSA Perpignanin the FrenchTop 14.The 3-month contract was cover for centresDavid MartyandMaxime Mermozwho were on2011 Rugby World Cupduty with theFrench teamwho lost the final to host team New Zealand. He currently plays forRacing Metro 92.

Ryan stepped back into Suburban Rugby in Sydney and played for 2 seasons for Balmain Rugby who won the Kentwell cup competition as joint premiers in 2013..

External links

• Western Force profile
• Fox Sports profile