Wendell Sailor
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Full name | Wendell Jermaine Sailor | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | 16 July 1974||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Height | 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 106 kg (16 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Position | Wing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Rugby union | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Wing | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Wendell Jermaine Sailor (born 16 July 1974) is an Australian former professional rugby footballer who represented his country in both rugby league and rugby union – a dual code international.
In rugby league Sailor was a member of the successful Brisbane Broncos team of the 1990s, with whom he won Premierships in 1993, 1997, 1998 and 2000. A wing, his large frame and powerful running made him a formidable opponent and prolific try-scorer. He represented Queensland in State of Origin and played for Australia (the Kangaroos) 16 times, including winning the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, where he was the top try-scorer and player of the tournament. He also played 3 times for the Super League Australia side.
In 2001, he moved to the Queensland Reds in rugby union, and later to the New South Wales Waratahs after the 2005 Super 12 season. He made his debut for Australia (the Wallabies) in 2003 and won 37 caps, including at the 2003 Rugby World Cup, where Australia lost in the final. In 2006 he failed a drugs test and received a two-year suspension from all forms of rugby. His contract with the ARU was terminated, ending his rugby union career.[3]
He returned to rugby league in May 2008 with
Since retiring, Sailor has worked in television presenting and has appeared in reality TV shows.
Background
Sailor was born in
Early life
Sailor grew up with his adoptive parents in Sarina, Queensland. He never knew his father and knew nothing of him apart from his West Indian heritage. His adoptive father is Torres Strait Islander.[6]
Playing career
1993–2001: Rugby league
In his inaugural year for the Brisbane Broncos, Sailor played in a handful of games, scoring three tries in his first season,[7] though Sailor had limited involvement that year, the club won the premiership, defeating the St. George Dragons 14–6. After his impressive debut season, he won the Rookie of the Year award at the Broncos club. [citation needed]
The following season Sailor took part in more games, scoring 14 tries.
At the outbreak of the Super League war in 1995, Sailor along with the rest of his Broncos teammates and players of several other clubs, was aligned with Super League and so ineligible for selection in the 1995 State of Origin series or the end of season 1995 Rugby League World Cup. The following year, when all players were again allowed to be selected for representative football, Sailor's debut for the Queensland Maroons came in Game I of the 1996 State of Origin series. In Game II he played at fullback.
Following the 1997 defection Super League and all its clubs, Wendell had a stellar year in the rebel competition. He was the top try-scorer for the Broncos and helped them win Super League's expanded 1997 World Club Championship tournament and then the premiership, defeating the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 26–8 in the grand final. In the 1997 post season, Sailor was selected to play for Australia on the wing in all three matches of the Super League Test series against Great Britain.
After the
In 1999 Sailor put in a man-of-the-match performance in the deciding match of the
More success followed for Sailor as he traveled to Europe to compete in the
Following the World Cup, many speculated that Sailor, who was off contract with the Broncos after the
Sailor is one of a handful of elite players to score over 100 tries for the club. He became the record co-holder of most tries in a Broncos match, with four.
During the 2007 season at the Broncos' 20-year anniversary celebration, the club announced a list of the 20 best players to play for them over the two decades since their inception in 1988 which included Sailor.[17]
2001–06: Rugby union
On 7 February 2001, it was announced by the
Sailor made his
In 2003, Sailor was selected for the
Sailor came off contract with the Reds after the 2005 Super 12 season, the media speculated that he would either move to Japan or sign with new franchise
Cocaine controversy
On 13 May 2006, hours before the final pool match of the Super 14 competition, it was announced that Sailor was to be suspended indefinitely from representing either the NSW Waratahs or Australian Rugby Team after returning a positive drug test for cocaine. Sailor's manager confirmed in a statement it was a doping offence.[22]
After the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) tests confirmed that Sailor's urine 'A' sample from the pre-match test had contained indicators of cocaine, Sailor chose to have the second half of his sample retested. The second test results were not published to the media within the timeframe expected, leading to speculation that Sailor's 'B' sample had proved inconclusive or been mishandled, thereby providing an opportunity for appeal.[23] Eventually the 'B' sample results were announced, and proved to be positive.
The ARU immediately imposed a provisional suspension.[24] When the matter was heard in the ARU Judicial Body, his legal team argued that he had not ingested cocaine within the 96 hours prior to the urine sample being taken. He further argued that he received no performance-enhancing benefits from cocaine, and that the clear scientific evidence is that cocaine is a short-acting stimulant that has effect for no more than two hours at most and that neither it nor its metabolites could have any performance enhancing benefit if taken more than 96 hours before a match.[25]
When quizzed by counsel for the ARU, Sailor admitted that during previous drug tests he had received anti-doping information cards which carry the warning that all elite athletes are responsible for any banned substance in their system. When asked whether he was aware that cocaine is a banned substance, he confirmed that he did. The ARU upheld that whether Sailor considered the substance performance-enhancing or not, Sailor was aware that cocaine was a banned substance at the time of ingestion, and refused to reduce or overturn the ban.[26]
On 23 July, Sailor penned a column in the Sunday Telegraph explaining his actions and apologising to his fans and family.
2008–09: Rugby league comeback
Since his exit from rugby union, several new streams of income have emerged for Sailor. He appeared on the television series, Dancing with the Stars. In addition, he provided NRL commentary for Channel Nine.
Speaking to a Sydney radio station in March 2007, Wendell stated he did not intend to let his career end in drug shame and that a number of
Sailor returned to rugby league playing initially for the Shellharbour Marlins (Dragons feeder team) in the
Sailor played a few more games for the Dragons as well as the Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Cup whenever he did not make the St. George Illawarra NRL side.[30][31] He scored his first NRL try since he left the League in 2001 against his former team the Brisbane Broncos in round 23. He later scored a hat-trick in the Dragons' 40–14 victory over the Eels in round 25.
Sailor was named in the 70-man Indigenous Australia squad alongside fellow Dragon Jamie Soward for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. The Celtic Crusaders and French Rugby Union were looking to sign him for 2009, despite him having one more year on his contract with the Dragons. [citation needed]
For the 2009 season Sailor was re-united with the coach whom he began his professional career and won three premierships with, Wayne Bennett who had left the Brisbane broncos to coach the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Sailor was an influential figure in the Dragons side as he helped his side finish first in the regular season to gain the Minor Premiership. Sailor was recognised for his efforts as one of four nominees for the Dally M Winger of the year.
Sailor's 16-year career in professional sport came to an end when he announced his retirement at a press conference on 12 November 2009 at the age of 35.[32] His final game for the Dragons was, fittingly, at Suncorp Stadium against his old side, the Broncos, in a match the Dragons lost 24–10. Coincidentally, his first game for the Dragons was also against the Broncos in a match won by the Dragons, but Sailor was injured in that match.
Sailor's final match was the
Television career
Sailor was a contestant on
In 2018, Sailor is to be sideline reporter on sports entertainment series Australian Spartan.[36][circular reference].
In 2019, Sailor appeared as 'the Rhino' in the first season of
See also
Further reading
- Sailor, Wendell (2003). Wendell: crossing over. ABC Books. ISBN 9780733312311.
References
- ^ "Wendell Sailor – Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project.
- ^ NRL Stats[permanent dead link]
- ^ "ARU terminates Wendell Sailor's Contract". Australian Rugby Union. 21 July 2006. Archived from the original on 30 October 2009. Retrieved 3 November 2010.
- ^ Riccio, David; Heads, Phillip (3 February 2008). "Sailor fights to get fight for Dragons return". Daily Telegraph. News Corp. Archived from the original on 6 February 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2008.
- ^ "Wendell opens up over his adoption demons". Pamela Frost. Daily Mercury. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- ^ Frost, Pamela (24 September 2013). "Wendell opens up over his adoption demons". Mackay Daily Mercury. News Corp. Archived from the original on 1 February 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ^ a b "Wendell Sailor". Rugby League Tables. Archived from the original on 4 April 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ^ "Kangaroos Tour Matches 1994". Archived from the original on 25 August 2005. Retrieved 17 February 2006.
- ^ a b "Wendell to set sail for Super League". BBC Sport. BBC. 25 October 2000. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012. Retrieved 17 February 2006.
- ISBN 9780702235368.
- ^ Hadfield, Dave (6 November 1999). "Sailor floats past to frustrate Kiwis". The Independent. UK. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2011.
- ^ St John, Mark (6 July 2019). "Wendell Sailor reveals secret pact for grieving Broncos teammate Kevin Walters". Fox League. Australia.
- ^ Burke, David (26 November 2000). "Hello Sailor; Australia 40 New Zealand 12". Sunday Mirror, The. MGN Ltd.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Written at Brisbane. "Sailor leans towards rugby". Post Courier. Papua New Guinea. 22 January 2001. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2011.
- ^ "Aussie coach warns rugby league bosses". BBC Sport Online. BBC. 7 February 2001. Archived from the original on 1 March 2017. Retrieved 7 October 2009.
- ^ Proszenko, Adrian (6 May 2012). "Gallen set to smash record". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 23 July 2018. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ Dekroo, Karl (9 May 2007). "Still the king". The Courier-Mail. Australia: Queensland Newspapers. Archived from the original on 12 May 2007. Retrieved 8 December 2009.
- ISBN 9781864033618.
- ^ "Sailor completes code switch". BBC Sport. BBC. 2 July 2001. Archived from the original on 18 November 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2006.
- ^ Hamilton, Garth (9 July 2007). "Don't Look Back in Anger". The Roar.
- ^ "Sailor confirms move to Sydney". ABC News. 3 June 2005. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ^ http://www.abc.net.au/sport/content/200605/s1637974.htm[permanent dead link]
- ^ Guinness, Rupert (6 June 2006). "Wendell test may be tainted". PerthNow. News Corp. Archived from the original on 23 September 2007. Retrieved 7 June 2006.
- ^ "Wendell Sailor banned, sacked after failing drugs test". Taipei Times. Associated Press. 22 July 2006. Archived from the original on 9 November 2007. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ^ Written at Sydney. "Sailor sunk by naive argument". News24. South Africa. 25 July 2006. Archived from the original on 1 October 2008.
- ^ http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,19861706-5001021,00.html[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Sailor courted by clubs despite ban". ABC Sport. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 27 February 2007. Archived from the original on 2 March 2007. Retrieved 2 March 2007.
- ^ "Dragons chance for Sailor". Sky Sports. 12 May 2008. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 12 May 2008.
- ^ Keeble, Tim (18 May 2008). "Wendell Sailor back with a blast". Illawarra Mercury. Archived from the original on 30 January 2017. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ^ Gaskin, Lee (14 July 2008). "Sailor grins and Bears it at Ipswich". Queensland Times. Archived from the original on 27 August 2018. Retrieved 27 August 2018.
- ^ Fitzgibbon, Liam (1 July 2008). "Wendell Sailor set to Bear arms in Queensland Cup". Daily Telegraph. News Corp. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ "Wendell Sailor retires". Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 12 November 2009. Archived from the original on 14 November 2009.
- ^ Kent, Paul (20 January 2012). "FOX Sports axe Wendell Sailor and hire Mark Geyer". The Telegraph. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
- ^ "Ex-NRL prop Ben Ross breaks arm on live TV". ABC News. 11 June 2015. Archived from the original on 11 June 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ Riccio, David (12 June 2015). "Ben Ross snaps muscle from bone in arm-wrestle with Wendell Sailor". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ Carmody, Broede (11 December 2017). "Rugby legend Wendell Sailor joins Seven's Australian Spartan". Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Archived from the original on 11 January 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2018.
- ^ Morgan, Michaela (1 October 2019). "'One of the Hardest Things I've Ever Done': Wendell Sailor Revealed As The Masked Singer's Rhino". 10 Daily. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
External links
- Wendell Sailor at IMDb
- Wendell Sailor Official Website
- St George Illawarra Dragons profile
- State of Origin Official website Rugby League Player Stats
- 'The Politics of Wendell', Article from Workers Online
- Official NSW Waratahs profile
- Interview with Wendell on WHO.com
- Wendell saviour[permanent dead link]
- Wendell Sailor is special guest at State of Origin 2014 Games 1 and 3| EP Marketing Corporate Hospitality