Australian coach puts faith in converts

Australia coach Robbie Deans has backed former rugby league star Ryan Cross to fill the boots of skipper Stirling Mortlock in Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup clash with New Zealand.

Cross will make his first Wallabies start in the Tri-Nations match after Mortlock, who suffered a heavy head knock during last weekend's victory over the Springboks, was ruled unfit to take his place in the side.