Sailor calls it a day
12 Nov 2009
Wendell Sailor has announced his retirement after a 16-year playing career in rugby union and rugby league.
The former Wallabies wing played 222 matches for Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra and 19 rugby league Tests for the Kangaroos. He also featured in the rugby league World Cup in 2000, where he was named Player of the Tournament, before he converted to rugby union.
Sailor then went on to play for the Queensland Reds and earned 37 caps for the Wallabies in his five seasons as a rugby union player.
After testing positive for recreational drugs in 2006, Sailor returned to St George Illawarra to continue with rugby league. He played 33 matches for the Dragons in his last two seasons and scored 17 tries.
‘Even though this is a major decision in anyone’s life, it is not one that I had to think too much about,’ said Sailor. ‘I came back to rugby league and achieved what I wanted and needed to, with a fantastic club in the Dragons.
‘I have had my time and now I am ready to step aside and let the great young players here have their turn.’
12 Comments
12 Nov 2009, 12:55 pm
I remember watching this Dragon in the Super 14. When he was on he was on! He was like Cullen in his day…..as soon as he got the ball all opposition supporters started going into a panic.
12 Nov 2009, 13:17 pm
And the dragon comment actually makes sense for one.
For a newbie, can someone explain how the dragon started in these comments?
As entertaining as it is arbitrary.
12 Nov 2009, 13:23 pm
He was a fine Leaguie, very destructive on the wing for the Broncos and Queensland. A similar Big Guy on the Wing thing going on as what Jonah was going thru in Union at the same time.
He never really dominated in Union for Tahs or Wallabies like he did in League tho. Looked a bit hesitant at the ruck, execution of ball-retention, which is typical of those Aussie leaguies who have never played Union, unlike Kiwis who would probably have played both.
‘Big Del’ also seemed to like the bright lights a bit too much. Famous in Aus for talking about “Big Del” in the 3rd-person all the time in interviews. Huge rocks in both ears, putting it about in the Cross. Went to Union for the wrong reasons – the do$h – because his ego didnt really fit in with the GPS-ruled NSW mafia. That it all went t*ts up was not the least bit predictable in the end.
Did well to come back from the 2-year suspension tho. Thats ballsy and you gotta rate that.
12 Nov 2009, 13:24 pm
Oh and to refer to the Dragon in question.
- great try off lineout against the all-blacks from about the halfway line
- awesome chunder in the plants at billy the bums when he was injured and stayed in SA for the jol
- my dad comparing him to a pedigree racehorse whenever he was on form (he was built like a machine)
Peace out Dell.
Although you were a bit of a chop we are all human.
- We’ve all chundered in the plants before after a razzle.
- A lot of us have smoked the doobie before
- And we all gooi a stroppy when we lose even if it’s yard cricket.
12 Nov 2009, 13:46 pm
#4 jerms: #
excellent post
and didnt we just !
12 Nov 2009, 14:14 pm
No matter how good a player he was – he will always be remembered by most as the tool who got suspended for using drugs. Reminds me of the joke about the farmer who said – “but fck one sheep, and they call you….”
anyway.
#1 Yetirat: Comparing Sailor with Cullen??? Now you are being sacreligious….. Cullen was recently voted on Planet Rugby as the greatest 15 of the modern era (I fully agree). Sailor IMHO will not make the top 10 wings of the modern era. He never really cracked Union
12 Nov 2009, 14:15 pm
#2 jerms: I think it started with the saying “Thar be dragons”… Something along those lines.
That is the beautiful world of keo for you – Dragons and Muppets !
12 Nov 2009, 14:37 pm
#2 jerms:
To answer your question: The first post of Dragons actually started around 2005 when the look and feel of the Keo site was a bit different. When you clicked to read an article, the 2 most recent/important other articles were posted as headings at the top of the article, 1 on the left and one on the right. A programming error had a story on the Welch side with a headline of “Dragons…..” displayed for a period of time when it was not relevant anymore.
From this the muppets started posting the first post on any story with relevance to that glitch. Then it became a competition to be the first person to post a Dragon mention
12 Nov 2009, 15:16 pm
On form, Sailor was one of the most destructive wingers and world rugby and almost unplayable. Pity it all went to his head, but as a player I can appreciate his contribution.
12 Nov 2009, 15:33 pm
#8 wez:
Thanks for the response Wez, cool story.
If the walls could talk on a website you’d be one of the walls obviously.
#7 CHEETA CHAMPS
Thanks as well.
All those Leaguies have their own issues. Mat Rogers, Tuqiri who are the ones without issues?
12 Nov 2009, 16:22 pm
What do you do with a drunken sailor?
How old was he?
12 Nov 2009, 18:42 pm
In the mid 90′s the Waratahs had a massive (but short) oke called Murdoch who played on the wing. He may have been a league convert too. I think his career was probably cut short by failed drugs tests.
I only know this because I’ve still got the video ‘ Best Super 12′ tries 1996 Lol!
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.