Name Ben Cross Role Rugby player | Height 1.91 m Weight 112 kg | |
Profiles | ||
Ben Cross (born 6 December 1978 in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer. A New South Wales State of Origin representative prop forward, he previously played for Canberra Raiders, Melbourne Storm, Newcastle Knights, Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors and Widnes Vikings.
Ben Cross, also known as "The Boss", had an explosive start to his National Rugby League career with a suspension for striking following his début match in 2003. He moved to Melbourne Storm and they reached the 2006 NRL Grand Final in which Cross was selected to play from the interchange bench in Melbourne's loss to Brisbane.
There was another citing for contrary conduct was made against him for an incident in the 2007 NRL Telstra Grand Final. The charge resulted in a two-week suspension.
A powerful ball-runner, Ben Cross endeared himself to Melbourne Storm fans with his wholehearted efforts and aggression. He was a member of the losing Grand Final team in 2006.
In August, 2008, Cross was named in the preliminary 46-man Kangaroos squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.
Late in 2010, Cross re-signed with the Knights for 2011, however in October, 2010 Leeds offered Cross a 2-year deal. Cross asked the Knights for a release and it was granted. Cross was then released by Leeds mid season by mutual consent. On 12 July 2011 he joined Wigan until the end of the season, and on the same day it was announced he would join Widnes for the 2012 season.
He scored his first ever professional try whilst playing for Widnes against Huddersfield in a victory 26-22 at Halton Stadium.
After the 2013 season, Cross returned to Newcastle, New South Wales to be an assistant coach to the Newcastle Knights' New South Wales Cup team.
On 11 March 2016, Cross was named the head coach of the New South Wales Rugby League Women's side.