Ryan Cross back in the NRL.

[Guest]

Telecrap reports that Tigers are interested in signing Ryan Cross for next year.

Its not April 1st, so what do u guys think?

[Guest]

WARATAHS centre Ryan Cross is in discussions to become the latest rugby union convert to return to the NRL after meeting Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens for coffee last Thursday.

The Sunday Telegraph was tipped off about the pair being spotted on the cafe strip at Darling Street in Rozelle, and Cross and the Tigers have confirmed they are in the early stages of negotiations.

A return to rugby league with Wests Tigers would continue the Concord club's strong father-son ties, with Cross's dad Paul a cult figure at Balmain during the late 1960s and early '70s.

An 18-Test Wallaby since switching to rugby union in 2007, Cross has spent the past 12 months playing outside centre for the NSW Waratahs after four seasons with the Western Force.

When contacted yesterday, the rugby union international confirmed he was thinking about a return to the NRL.


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"I do still want to continue playing football - the body feels good," Cross said.

"Definitely rugby league has always been close to my heart and I've grown up with it. It was never really something that I considered I would go back to, but now that I've been back in Sydney for 12 months it's a big possibility.

"Obviously, my dad played at the Tigers - and I was a supporter as a kid - so hopefully something can be worked out."

Cross is also being pursued by rugby union clubs in the UK and France.

The Tigers have made no secret of their bid to overhaul their playing roster for next season, with Andrew Fifita, Bryce Gibbs and Tim Moltzen all headed elsewhere.

There have been continued rumblings of discontent within the playing group over the changes, particularly when lock Chris Heighington was told he may be forced to the interchange bench in 2012.

The Tigers announced the signature of Melbourne Storm's Kiwi international Adam Blair last Wednesday and have also signed Eels centre Joel Reddy and Penrith prop Matthew Bell.

Wests Tigers chief executive Stephen Humphreys confirmed coach Sheens had met Cross after his father Paul contacted the club.

"As I understand it, it was an opportunity just to catch up and see where Ryan was at. I think he's always maintained his love for the game of rugby league," Humphreys said.

"We are unsure as to whether there's an opportunity or not there for Ryan, but we're having a chat and we'll see what comes in the next few weeks.

"His father Paul did play for Balmain many years ago and he rang me about Tim and Ryan having a chat."

Cross played 143 first-grade games for the Sydney Roosters before his move to rugby.

His return would complete the merry-go-round of rugby union converts returning to the NRL after Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers all came back.

[Guest]

We should resign him have a look at his tries to games ratio. better then any of our current backs try scoring record

[Guest]

I can't see us re-signing him.

IMO Linnett is better than Cross at same age. Cross' defense was atrocious.

[Guest]

So was his injury rate

[Guest]

I loved Cross he always had time for fans whenever I ran into him. Also I didn't think he was all that bad a player admittedly now I look more at defense where when I was younger I just liked try scorers but Cross is the past linnett hopefully is the future

[melon....]

We should resign him have a look at his tries to games ratio. better then any of our current backs try scoring record

Youre still living in 2003 and 2004. Wake up dude. First you praise Anasta and now you want to buy this guy?

Are you a Politis?

[crikey chris]

No chance!
The tigers can have him.

First game of league he will get injured!
Wingers and centres in yawnion bludge.
Will spend more time on the sidelines if he comes back. His knee injuries will reappear!

[Guest]

Can not see the sense in signing him.

Tries to game ratio i would say that SKD tries to game ratio is better than Ryan"s. Does anyone have the statistic on this.

Ryan played many a good game for the chooks however i do recall many a time why he didnt pass the ball in attacking oppurtunity.

I would be happy if they extended Linnett"s contract. He is a sound player with a good football brain.

[Guest]

Of course he had a good try scoring record in the backline he was playing in at the time. Put any bloke in the current Newtown team, let alone Roosters, in those teams he's probably gonna go ok.

[Guest]

SKD has a better strike rate, Graham is pretty similar having played on Raiders 2002-2009, Roosters 10-11 v Roosters 98-06 which seems like a tougher gig. He does beat out Perrett but tries not really why Perrett is there.

Cross is a myth.

[Guest]

Google statistics ... not sure how accurate

Cross 143 games ... 85 tries Try in 59.4% of games

SKD 100 games ... 67 tries Try in 67% of games

If accurate SKD has a pretty impressive strike rate.

[Guest]

Remember that butt ugly picture they had of him when the teams got announced at the game?

[bigben]

Remember that butt ugly picture they had of him when the teams got announced at the game?

Yeah reminds me of the guy in the movie MASK..

[Cockadoodledoo]

SKD has a better strike rate, Graham is pretty similar having played on Raiders 2002-2009, Roosters 10-11 v Roosters 98-06 which seems like a tougher gig. He does beat out Perrett but tries not really why Perrett is there.

Cross is a myth.

Perrett has been outstanding in the past 2 weeks. His dummy half runs give us so much momentum.