ADELAIDE -- A successful night for the AUNZ Invitational XV could mean more than just a shock win over the British & Irish Lions at Adelaide Oval, but also potential international call-ups and a lasting future for the Invitational squad.
For the first time in 36 years a combined Australia and New Zealand side will take to the pitch on Saturday night in what will be the final tour match ahead of the opening Lions Test in Brisbane next week, and it presents the perfect opportunity for both aspiring Wallabies and All Blacks alike to make an impression on national selectors.
Preparing to put a dent in the Lions and become the first team on the Australian tour to notch a win on the board, the AUNZ XV have named a stacked squad including Lukhan Salakai-Loto, Marika Koroibete, Hoskins Sotutu, and Pete Samu, all of whom are pushing their cases for an international recall.
"Every time you cross the white line, those boys are driven to be successful," Cron said. "There are some on the fringe of All Blacks and some on the fringe of Wallabies, so, they'll be driving their cases. For other boys this is a really big life experience and the opportunity to drive themselves to a higher level.
"There are couple of guys there that'll be excited about tomorrow and will be really pumped to go out there and show what they can do."
While Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has already named his 36-player squad for the three Test series, the door always remains slightly ajar for last minute call-ups. Take James O'Connor's last second recall as Noah Lolesio's injury replacement as a case in point, making Saturday's clash as important as any Wallaby audition.
"100 percent [a game like this can put you in a position for selection]. Playing the Lions, it's an amazing side with a lot of history and they get opportunities and every moment tomorrow to step forward and perform. The Wallaby coaches and All Blacks coaches will be looking at those guys to be able to do that. We've got guys in the squad who'll be outstanding tomorrow.
"I think a number of the boys that are playing tomorrow are on that cusp, and we know as well as anybody, depending on what happens over the next little while, there's three Tests, so opportunities can present themselves pretty quickly."
Meanwhile, a highly competitive contest has the potential to turn the one-off Invitational side into much more with former All Blacks coach Ian Foster already brainstorming ideas of turning the team into a touring group with Cron backing the continuation of the combined side.
"I think it should be [continued], I really do, and there's a few ideas Fozzy [Ian Foster] has around that, and I think it's smart. It's great to get them together and combine the knowledge and the skillsets of both groups and I'd love to see it continue.
"I think Fozzy has some good ideas around it, but you've got South Africa there as well as a southern hemisphere team and you combine the best out of those three countries and you could head into some pretty big markets, but I'll leave that to powers that be. But I love the idea of it, because I just think it's another opportunity for us to showcase southern hemisphere rugby.
"I think you can be innovative. I think it's about the markets you hit into and what you want to do with it, but I'd say people above me will deal with all that chat."
Cron also brushed away any comparisons with the historic Barbarians invitational side, telling reporters the AUNZ XV side have treated the lead into Saturday night's match like the run in to a Test match - keeping intensity up on the field, while enjoying themselves off it.
"It's not Barbarians for us," Cron said. "I understand Barbarians is definitely about the fun on and off the field, and we are definitely connecting and having fun, but a lot more laser focused I think for us.
"These guys are fighting for international spots, international teams, two of the best in the world, so for us, it's about giving them the opportunity to be the best they can when they take the field. But at the same time, when they're off, having a bit of down time, having a bit of fun. The boys are playing cards, mucking around, nothing crazy, but it's definitely different [from a Barbarians tour]."