Wendell Sailor

Wendell Sailor - Wing

Wendell Sailor's 2003 season proved to all observers that he's made a successful transition to the code. He was a clear choice for right wing in all seven domestic Test matches and steam-rolled his way to another five tries including a double against Wales.

An incredibly powerful runner with an uncanny ability to break the first tackle, Sailor has matured into a true world class winger. A confident, larger than life character, Sailor made significant advances in his rugby development following his selection for the Wallabies tour of Argentina and Europe at the end of last year.

Sailor has been on a steep learning curve since leaving rugby league at the end of the 2001 season. Now, with two full seasons of Super 12 under his belt and 13 Test appearances, Sailor has started to reproduce the type of damaging running that made him famous in league. A shining example was Sailor's 80m solo try which saw him tear right through the middle of the Waratahs defence in this year's interstate clash in Sydney.

In a league career spanning eight seasons with the Brisbane Broncos, Sailor crossed for a phenomenal 110 tries in 189 club games, and represented Queensland in 17 matches and Australia in 21 internationals. He spent the 1998-99 off-season with English club Leeds Tykes where he had his first taste of the 15-a-side game.

Sailor started his Australian rugby career in Sevens at the start of 2002. His large frame and pace were well suited to the abridged game and he played a large role in guiding Australia to victory. Sailor's Test debut came in Australia's first international of the 2002 season against France in Melbourne. The week before he scored a hard-running try against the NZ Maori in Perth.

*2002 Fr1, Fr2, Arg (rep), Ire, E [1t], It. 2003 Ire, W [2t], E [1t], SA1 [1t], NZ1 [1t], SA2, NZ2