Cross has no code to crack

It seems the Wallabies cannot escape the rugby league references as Timana Tahu's centre place was snapped up by fellow convert Ryan Cross for the Tri-Nations decider.

It seems the Wallabies cannot escape the rugby league references as Timana Tahu's centre place was snapped up by fellow convert Ryan Cross for the Tri-Nations decider.

Coach Robbie Deans made five changes in all to his Australian starting line-up for Saturday's showpiece with Cross, flank George Smith, lock Nathan Sharpe, tighthead prop Al Baxter and hooker Stephen Moore all handed starts.

However, after an eight-year stint in the thirteen-man game, the Western Force star is perhaps the most reported alteration for Brisbane – and Deans has been quick to dispel the regular doubters.

“The reality is that Ryan is a union player who dabbled in league, not the other way around,” he said, speaking to AAP.

Cross will line up outside captain Stirling Mortlock in the centres for a clash that will decide the 3N title and can also keep the Wallabies' hopes alive of Bledisloe Cup glory.

And in a game that will be played in front of a sold-out 52,000-strong Suncorp Stadium crowd, Cross found time to empathize with his dropped friend.

“At school I loved playing rugby. It was a huge decision to go to league in the first place (in 1998). But I always hoped I would come back, and this is the main reason I came back, playing in these huge games.

“For sure I can sympathise. It's not as easy as everyone thinks (switching codes).

“Unfortunately Timana was caught out in the Test, but I think everyone struggled. You do feel for him but in another way it has given me an opportunity and I am looking forward to it.”

However, despite leaving Tahu out of the matchday squad for the southern hemisphere decider, Deans has backed the player to bounce back in the future whilst relishing Cross and Mortlock's midfield battle with Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.

“Timana is a player who misses out, people may attempt to make a lot of that, that's their choice,” he said.

“But from our perspective, Timana is going to be here for some time.

“Obviously he didn't enjoy his last experience as none of us did, but that was just fuel for the next opportunity that he gets.

“I've seen (Cross) thrive in the time that he has had this year, he has just grown in stature.

“He enters this Test knowing that he belongs at this level.”