If Wigan required a reference perhaps they could have consulted one of his former coaches from the NRL, they'd have more idea than anyone currently running the team at Leeds. The official line coming out of Headingley went something like this: www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/s ... _1_3483274 Quote Coach McDermott="Coach McDermott"Ben Cross has been a pleasure to coach. At no stage has the situation of him not playing been a problem on a professional level. His conduct and the way he has carried himself is something he should be proud of.'" Quote Coach McDermott="CEO Hetherington"He has been a model professional. I empathise with his frustration, which has been caused in part by Jamie Peacock’s earlier than expected return to the first team and the outstanding form of some of our other front-row forwards. Ben doesn’t have youth on his side and he needs to be playing, so we will allow him to move on and fulfil his ambitions elsewhere.'"

If Wigan required a reference perhaps they could have consulted one of his former coaches from the NRL, they'd have more idea than anyone currently running the team at Leeds. The official line coming out of Headingley went something like this: www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/s ... _1_3483274 Quote Coach McDermott="Coach McDermott"Ben Cross has been a pleasure to coach. At no stage has the situation of him not playing been a problem on a professional level. His conduct and the way he has carried himself is something he should be proud of.'" Quote Coach McDermott="CEO Hetherington"He has been a model professional. I empathise with his frustration, which has been caused in part by Jamie Peacock’s earlier than expected return to the first team and the outstanding form of some of our other front-row forwards. Ben doesn’t have youth on his side and he needs to be playing, so we will allow him to move on and fulfil his ambitions elsewhere.'"

Whatever, Ben Cross is going to Wembley with Wigan.

He must be chuffed to bits that McDermott left him out for the Crusaders tie now.

Watch Cross from last week's game against Hull. Came off the bench and gave away three or four penalties in a row. He wasn't getting selected because he was doing likewise for us. Gave away a number of penalties whilst we were in posession. I think he didn't want to hang about if not in the team so asked for a release.

Despite all that I'm really surprise someone, say, Jimmy Lowes wouldn't sort out a reference for him.

Only Betts? There's only so much of Cross to go around - in just over a year he'll have played for 3 SL clubs!

we signed him knowing he was old, banged up and only a short stint prop. So having ruled that our I imagined we realsed him for off the field issues.

Good for him getting a game at Wembley I say. At Leeds he was asked to be something he's never been - pack leader in the absence of Peacock. At Wigan he's one of the rotation forwards which is exactly the role he's played before.

He hasn't yet although he may well do. Wasn't his selection yesterday (Saturday) due to Hock carrying an injury?

The final bench spot was between Cross and Prescott and I'm assuming Cross got the nod because Prescott is still troubled by a hamstring injury. If Prescott is fit I doubt Cross will get near a place in the final. Hock is struggling with the pace of big games and by all accounts McGuire doesn't think he's anywhere near good enough defensively at the moment to be risked against better teams. I expect both Cross and Hock to be used to give some of the forwards a rest between the big games coming up.

Hock or Paul P will get the nod I presume.

Cross played one stint against Saints and in that stint didn't offer much and didn't look to cart the ball up. He hasn't given the coach any dilema on selection as yet. I think he was the only player not to break sweat.