Late Convert Wendell Sailor.

Wendell Sailor.

Position: Wing.
Height: 191cm.
Weight: 108kgs.
Date of Birth: 16th July 1974.
Club: Gold Coast.
State: Queensland.
State Caps: 12.
Super 12 Caps: 11.
Test Caps: 3.
Test Debut: v France, 2002 in Melbourne.

Wendell Sailor is a larger than life character who is never far from the headlines. Prior to converting to the Union game he enjoyed a glittering career that spanned eight seasons. He played with the Brisbane Broncos where he scored 110 tries in 189 club games. He represented Queensland in 17 matches and the Australian Rugby League side on 21 occasions. In League circles he is revered as one of the truly great wingers.

In 1998/99 season he had his first taste of the 15 a side game when he played with Leeds Tykes. He finally switched his full attention to Union on October 2001 amid a blaze of publicity and he continues to attract publicity wherever he goes, his massive 6’3 frame making him readily identifiable.

Sailor started the year representing the successful Australian team at the Brisbane IRB World Rugby Sevens. He started the super 12 season on the wing for the Queensland Reds and finally crossed for a try against the Blue Bulls in Ballymore. His Test debut came in Australia’s opening match (2002) against France in Melbourne. The week before he had scored a try against the NZ Maori in Perth. Sailor’s ability to suck in defenders and muscle his way through heavy traffic makes him an ideal test wing and he came off the bench in the game against Argentina in what was a very physical match ideally suited to the big man’s game.

With Ben Tune out through injury Sailor gets the opportunity to make the wing position his own. The importance of what lies immediately ahead is not lost on him.
“It was frustrating for me early on trying to break into the side, with Ben (Tune) playing so well in the Tri-Nations. But now with a few injuries there’s the opportunity for me in the next couple of weeks to prove that I can play a positive role in the Wallabies.”
He admits that like other league converts he struggled early on to get to grips with union but believes that he is now coming to terms with the game thanks to the fact that coach Eddie Jones has not rushed him. “Eddie’s held me back a bit and I’ve got a great team to play with, I’m coming in at a good time. It’s all up to me now but I’m in a good position.”