KEY POINTS:
Six Wallabies will make their maiden Bledisloe Cup start against the All Blacks in a side showing just one change from their last start with captain and centre Stirling Mortlock sidelined with concussion.
That has opened the way for league convert Ryan Cross to make his starting debut
after the 28-year-old made three appearances from the bench in earlier tests this season.
Cross played nine years of league for the Roosters before signing for the Force last year where he made a strong impression under the tutelage of coach John Mitchell.
That impact saw him promoted this season to the Wallaby squad under Mitchell's old All Black sidekick Robbie Deans where the 99kg centre has continued to make strong inroads.
Cross' grounding was in rugby and he represented that code at Australian schoolboy level alongside George Smith who is the new Wallaby skipper for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup start in Sydney.
Cross' promotion has also allowed the utility backline talents of Timana Tahu to be included in the reserves.
Tahu, whose Maori father was from Matamata and Aboriginal mother from Burke, considered linking with Deans' Crusaders early last year when he was about to change codes. Circumstances meant the two are now connected in the Wallabies.
The 28-year-old felt he had made great strides just to make the Australian A side but was very excited about his latest promotion.
"During the Super 14 I got chucked around in different positions but Robbie has asked me to concentrate on 12 where you have to be aggressive and I think it suits my style of game," he said.
Deans thought Tahu was best suited to the midfield because he was the sort of player who needed to be involved regularly in the action.
"He can distribute well and he really threatens that channel which is good. He has a physical presence in midfield but as he settled into the game he could play anywhere. He has adjusted, post injury, really well into rugby," said Deans.
"From the moment he came into 12 he has just grown with the continuity of matchplay."
Fellow convert Cross played schoolboy rugby internationals against New Zealand alongside George Smith and only switched to league once he left school because his father had played that code.
"It was a tough decision when I came out of school but in many ways I wish I had stayed with union because I am really enjoying it, it has been a great experience especially living in Perth and learning the code," he said.
"Whenever I sit down and watch an All Black test and see that haka it is pretty special. Then there is the way they play, the aggression they show and the attitude they have ... is huge - this test will be massive.
"The personal challenge taking over from Mortlock is massive but I can't really replace him, he has a lot more experience than me. I just have to do the little things right, keep it simple, not try to do anything too special and do my job."
Cross said he had learned a lot in his rugby return last year and had plenty of conviction. Getting the call-up to the Wallaby training squad was a huge spur, then making the reserves, and then the team.
Former All Black coach Mitchell gave him confidence and while the Force had some tough times last year it had all helped with the transition. The input from his first five eighths Matt Giteau was also crucial in making a solid code switch.
"I always thought centre was my game, I try to play a similar style of game to Stirling [Mortlock] by getting the team over the advantage line so that is the way I see it.
"Robbie has given me the opportunity, I just want to repay him. I have had a taste of it from the bench and then for almost a half last week against the Boks when Stirling was injured," Cross said.
Deans was always available, easy to talk to and had limitless rugby knowledge and ideas. There was also a great deal of experience throughout the squad and all of them were a help.
Wallabies
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Ryan Cross, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith (captain), Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Dan Vickerman, Phil Waugh, Sam Cordingley, Timana Tahu, Drew Mitchell.
All Blacks
Mils Muliaina, Anthony Tuitavake, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid, Rodney So'oialo (captain), Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Conrad Smith.
