Kain Cross

Place of birth:
Dubbo, NSW Australia

Position played:
Flyhalf, Inside/Outside Center

Summary of rugby career:

First Started Playing Where:
Rugby League - Cobar Under 8's in Australia

Clubs represented and Years:
Cobar U8-U16
St. Gregory's College (1990-1991)
Western Suburbs Sydney (1992-1994)
Western Reds - Perth Reds (1995-1997)
Santa Monica Rugby Club (1999-2004, 2007, 2009)

Territorial/National Representative Teams and years:
Australian Schoolboys
SoCal Griffins - Assistant Coach (2002) Player (2003)
USA Eagles (2003-2004)

No of Caps (if applicable):
Twelve

No of International Matches (if applicable):
Fourteen

Tours: Where, With Whom and Years:
South Africa - Western Reds (1995)
Spain, Canada, Argentina, Australia - USA Eagles (2003)
Japan - USA Eagles (2004)

Awards and Recognition:
Santa Monica Rugby Club - Craig Sweeny Award
Santa Monica Rugby Club - Hanley Thomas Award

Impact rugby had on your life:
Changed my life, it is how I came to the USA, married Shannon, and started a family.

Most inspirational teammate/coach and why:
Coach: I have had a few over the years but one coach that I truly admire who helped me greatly off the field is Wayne Bennett (Australian NRL Coach). He was always available to discuss life and sport; unfortunately I never had the opportunity to play under him. Stuart Krohn was not only an inspirational leader on/off the field, but he guided me and gave me the opportunity to play and coach the game of rugby.

Teammate: I have been fortunate to play in some good teams, and alongside good players. I would say the teams of 1991 and 1992 stand out, as a winning schoolboy team we had all but two players that went on to play professional rugby league and my first year as a professional at 17 playing in a team with an average age of 29, I learnt so much from the veterans and the season was an experience that wasn’t matched. Aaron Blatt was a teammate, captain and leader - his words were backed up by the way he played the game and it not only inspired me but inspired everyone one the field, a true captain and leader.

What wisdom would you pass on to current players:
Rugby is not just a game, it is an opportunity to improve your character both on and off the field. By playing rugby you have joined a global fraternity, wherever you may travel, live or visit- rugby can and is an ice breaker.

Marital Status (Spouse/Kids names):
Shannon (Wife), Cassandra, Ian and Ryleigh (Children)

Favorite quote:
These days it is re-quoting the things my kids say on facebook!

Interests:
Golf, spending time with the family, watching my kids play their sports.

Internet links to anything of interest on the web about the player:
http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/player/14155.html
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/greg-smith-of-fiji-is-tackled-by-kain-cross-of-the-usa-news-photo/2600141