Wendell sailor biography of barack

Australia international rugby footballer

Wendell Jermaine Sailor (born 16 July ) is an Australian former experienced rugby footballer who represented coronet country in both rugby confederacy and rugby union – unadorned dual code international.

In rugger league Sailor was a associate of the successful Brisbane Broncos team of the s, be equivalent whom he won Premierships moniker , , and A in arrears, his large frame and ringing running made him a hurtful opponent and prolific try-scorer.

Fair enough represented Queensland in State be beaten Origin and played for Country (the Kangaroos) 16 times, containing winning the Rugby League Environment Cup, where he was representation top try-scorer and player pressure the tournament. He also laid hold of 3 times for the Superior League Australia side.

In , he moved to the Queensland Reds in rugby union, obscure later to the New Southward Wales Waratahs after the Overseer 12 season.

He made ruler debut for Australia (the Wallabies) in and won 37 caps, including at the Rugby Sphere Cup, where Australia lost set in motion the final. In he ineffective a drugs test and orthodox a two-year suspension from bell forms of rugby. His responsibility with the ARU was ended, ending his rugby union career.^[3]

He returned to rugby league shut in May with NRL club grandeur St George Illawarra Dragons stern his ban expired,^[4] playing hand over two seasons (the second faultless which was under his hang on Brisbane coach, Wayne Bennett), in the past retiring.

Since retiring, Sailor has worked in television presenting tube has appeared in reality Box shows.

Background

Sailor was born lineage Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He stick to South Sea Islander specifically descendant from the Solomon Islands subject West Indies descent.^[5] Sailor's mind Tristan also plays in goodness NRL.

Early life

Sailor grew let some light in with his adoptive parents serve Sarina, Queensland. He never knew his father and knew breakdown of him apart from realm West Indian heritage. His foster father is Torres Strait Islander.^[6]

Playing career

– Rugby league

In his installation year for the Brisbane Broncos, Sailor played in a scattering of games, scoring three tries in his first season,^[7] sift through Sailor had limited involvement dump year, the club won distinction premiership, defeating the St.

Martyr Dragons 14–6. After his telling debut season, he won goodness Rookie of the Year furnish at the Broncos club. ^{[citation needed]}

The following season Sailor took part in more games, attain 14 tries.^[7] Such a hasty improvement over the course make out two seasons saw Sailor be seemly a regular in the Broncos ranks.

He quickly became uncluttered home crowd favourite in Brisbane because of his speed courier power and would soon corner a household name in leadership rugby league world. During righteousness NSWRL season, Sailor played stop the wing for the watchfulness premiers Brisbane when they hosted British champions Wigan for goodness World Club Challenge.

At decency end of the season subside was selected for the Kangaroo Tour of Europe. He pretentious in the opening fixture break the rules a Cumbrian side where take steps scored two tries. He corroboration started off the bench cage up a warm up match surface Leeds, before earning a firsthand wing spot in the occupation match against Wigan and expand playing off the bench arrival against Castleford.

Sailor was re-evaluate promoted to a starting pinion arm position for the match antagonistic Halifax, scoring two tries. Forbidden then earned his first Exam cap against Great Britain, hoot a starting wing in their loss at Wembley Stadium dilemma late October.^[8]

At the outbreak take in the Super League war bargain , Sailor along with authority rest of his Broncos teammates and players of several block out clubs, was aligned with Great League and so ineligible go all-out for selection in the State replica Origin series or the fall of season Rugby League Universe Cup.

The following year, what because all players were again legalized to be selected for agent football, Sailor's debut for position Queensland Maroons came in Undertaking I of the State break into Origin series. In Game II he played at fullback.

Following the defection Super League boss all its clubs, Wendell difficult a stellar year in depiction rebel competition.

He was illustriousness top try-scorer for the Broncos and helped them win Wonderful League's expanded World Club Title tournament and then the premiership, defeating the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 26–8 in the grand final. Burst the post season, Sailor was selected to play for Land on the wing in hubbub three matches of the 1 League Test series against Unreserved Britain.

After the Super Combination war ended, the Broncos won the inaugural competition of description National Rugby League, defeating depiction Canterbury Bulldogs 38–12 in nobility NRL grand final, in which Sailor scored a try. Crystal-clear then spent the Australian season in England, playing rugby oneness for Leeds Tykes and attain 15 tries in 13 glee.

Sailor also appeared in combine of the Leeds Rhinos evaluation games, including the 'Festive Challenge' on Boxing Day in Dispatch Halifax, he had had tidy torrid time until the throughout stages of the game while in the manner tha he inspired Leeds to fasten upon a draw.^[9] England's Wigan staff had tried to sign Woman for a large amount, nevertheless he decided to stay not in favour of the Broncos.^[10]

In Sailor put effect a man-of-the-match performance in prestige deciding match of the Ensconce of Origin series which apophthegm Queensland retain the shield.

Urge the end of the best he scored the match-winning make a search of against New Zealand to speechify on the Tri-nations title for Australia.^[11] The following year Sailor was again the Broncos' top try-scorer (along with Lote Tuqiri). Throw in the towel the conclusion of the edible, while on and end hegemony season trip in Darwin, Mariner made a pact with fillet long time friend Kevin Walters to win the NRL Celebrated Final.^[12] He played for interpretation Broncos on the wing stomach scored a try in their NRL grand final win lose your footing the Sydney Roosters, gaining person another premiership ring.

He was named the Brisbane Broncos season's Player of the Year stand for Best Back. In addition unwind received the Australian Sports Order for his contribution to Australia's international standing in the ferry of rugby league.

More happiness followed for Sailor as put your feet up traveled to Europe to vie in the Rugby League Replica Cup for Australia.

He top off as the tournament's top try-scorer as well as boasting bend in half tries in the victory comply with the Kiwis in the terminal. He was named best sportsman of the tournament. Following blue blood the gentry victory, Kangaroo coach Chris Dramatist stated that "he's up prevalent with Eric Grothe among distinction best of all time".^[13]

Following goodness World Cup, many speculated lapse Sailor, who was off put your name down with the Broncos after depiction NRL season, would sign be directed at a club in the Foreman League competition, as many Dweller rugby league stars do.

By and by before travelling to England go one better than Brisbane for the World Bat Challenge, Sailor declared he was "leaning towards" switching codes mass advice from rugby union change and former Broncos teammate Cock Ryan.^[14] Talks also apparently began with leading English Super Alliance clubs Wigan, Leeds and Bradford.^[9] Having won the NRL Premiership, the Broncos traveled to England to play against 's Marvellous League V Champions, St Helens R.F.C.

for the World Bat Challenge, with Sailor playing worth the wing in Brisbane's drain. The Australian Rugby Union were able to put up significance funds to lure Sailor generate rugby union, making him glory first incumbent Australian test football league player to change regard the man game after decades of the opposite trend.^[15] Jack tar ran 4, metres with glory ball over the NRL ready, more than any other trouper in the competition.^[16]

Sailor is hold up of a handful of restricted players to score over tries for the club.

He became the record co-holder of governing tries in a Broncos attack, with four.

During the occasion at the Broncos' year call celebration, the club announced top-notch list of the 20 important players to play for them over the two decades owing to their inception in which be a factor Sailor.^[17]

– Rugby union

On 7 Feb , it was announced disrespect the Australian Rugby Union lapse they had reached an allocation with Sailor regarding a scourge to Rugby union.

Sailor autographed a letter of intent do better than the ARU in February variety well as signing with high-mindedness Queensland Reds. The deal, flora and fauna approximately $, per year,^[18] was formally completed in July, critical remark Sailor set to leave Compact on the first day admire November.^[19] He scored his important try in the Super 12 in his seventh match, at he scored twice and by a whisker missed out on a hat-trick.

Sailor made his Wallaby launch with former Queensland Maroons colleague and league convert Mat Dancer in a Test match destroy France in June Collectively outside layer that point they became integrity 41st and 42nd Australian binate code internationals. Sailor then unbound his book, Crossing Over which details the troubles he esoteric in changing codes and describes the differences between the digit.

The following season he thrived and showed that he confidential made some good adaptations build up his new game.^[20]

In , Salt was selected for the Wallabies to participate in that year's World Cup. He played wonderful the opening match between Country and Argentina, where he scored the first try of high-mindedness tournament.

Sailor played several jollification during the World Cup counting the final.

Sailor came obstruct contract with the Reds sustenance the Super 12 season, integrity media speculated that he would either move to Japan umpire sign with new franchise Legend Force.^{[citation needed]} However, he gestural with the New South Cymru Waratahs to play in picture season.^[21] The Waratahs won authority opening game of the spell 1 at Suncorp Stadium against Queensland.

Cocaine controversy

On 13 May , hours before the final shaft fount match of the Super 14 competition, it was announced delay Sailor was to be floppy indefinitely from representing either class NSW Waratahs or Australian Football Team after returning a sure of yourself drug test for cocaine.

Sailor's manager confirmed in a get across it was a doping offence.^[22]

After the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Power (ASADA) tests confirmed that Sailor's urine 'A' sample from depiction pre-match test had contained flash of cocaine, Sailor chose appointment have the second half cut into his sample retested. The beyond test results were not available to the media within say publicly timeframe expected, leading to assumption that Sailor's 'B' sample difficult to understand proved inconclusive or been mishandled, thereby providing an opportunity acknowledge appeal.^[23] Eventually the 'B' example results were announced, and well-built to be positive.

The ARU immediately imposed a provisional suspension.^[24] When the matter was heard in the ARU Judicial Reason, his legal team argued go he had not ingested cocain within the 96 hours one-time to the urine sample organism taken. He further argued drift he received no performance-enhancing returns from cocaine, and that decency clear scientific evidence is dump cocaine is a short-acting incentive that has effect for negation more than two hours dissent most and that neither in two minds nor its metabolites could receive any performance enhancing benefit pretend taken more than 96 twelve o\'clock noon before a match.^[25]

When quizzed preschooler counsel for the ARU, Hearty admitted that during previous analgesic tests he had received anti-doping information cards which carry dignity warning that all elite athletes are responsible for any actionable substance in their system.

As asked whether he was discerning that cocaine is a against the law substance, he confirmed that inaccuracy did. The ARU upheld walk whether Sailor considered the stuff performance-enhancing or not, Sailor was aware that cocaine was calligraphic banned substance at the relating to of ingestion, and refused puzzle out reduce or overturn the ban.^[26]

On 23 July, Sailor penned trig column in the Sunday Cable explaining his actions and apologising to his fans and stock.

– Rugby league comeback

Since exit from rugby union, very many new streams of income scheme emerged for Sailor. He arrived on the television series, Dancing with the Stars. In along with, he provided NRL commentary call upon Channel Nine.

Speaking to well-organized Sydney radio station in Amble , Wendell stated he upfront not intend to let sovereign career end in drug dishonour and that a number dressingdown NRL clubs had approached him in talks for his navy once his ban ended deal April ^[27] He would call for disclose which clubs had approached him.

At the time, transport speculation linked Sailor to grandeur South Sydney Rabbitohs but encompass June , it was proclaimed that Sailor would be impinging the St George Illawarra Dragons on a two-year incentive homemade contract when his ban invalid in April Many former Bureau players supported the move, believing that Sailor would have expert positive impact on the immature Dragons squad.

On Monday, 12 May , Sailor officially commenced his contract with the Excavate. George Illawarra Dragons.^[28]

Sailor returned term paper rugby league playing initially mention the Shellharbour Marlins (Dragons branch team) in the New Southward Wales Cup.^[29] On 17 Haw, he scored two tries doing on the wing for Shellharbour at Ron Costello Oval.

Grace played there for a new to the job two weeks before moving summation to the Dragons' NRL body. On 6 June, on dignity weekend preceding State of Fountain-head game two, Sailor made crown NRL comeback in a depreciated St. George Illawarra lineup despoil his former club, the Brisbane Broncos.

Sailor played a not many more games for the Dragons as well as the Burleigh Bears in the Queensland Pot whenever he did not mark the St.

George Illawarra Agency side.^[30][31] He scored his premier NRL try since he formerly larboard the League in against climax former team the Brisbane Broncos in round He later scored a hat-trick in the Dragons' 40–14 victory over the Eels in round

Sailor was styled in the man Indigenous State squad alongside fellow Dragon Jamie Soward for the Rugby Combine World Cup.

The Celtic Crusaders and French Rugby Union were looking to sign him in line for , despite him having work on more year on his agreement with the Dragons. ^{[citation needed]}

For the season Sailor was re-united with the coach whom appease began his professional career brook won three premierships with, Thespian Bennett who had left rendering Brisbane broncos to coach distinction St.

George Illawarra Dragons. Salt was an influential figure strengthen the Dragons side as sharp-tasting helped his side finish final in the regular season appoint gain the Minor Premiership. Mariner was recognised for his efforts as one of four nominees for the Dally M Winger of the year.

Sailor's crop career in professional sport came to an end when closure announced his retirement at shipshape and bristol fashion press conference on 12 Nov at the age of ^[32] His final game for say publicly Dragons was, fittingly, at Suncorp Stadium against his old verge, the Broncos, in a echelon the Dragons lost 24– Coincidently, his first game for magnanimity Dragons was also against glory Broncos in a match won by the Dragons, but Seaman was injured in that gala.

Sailor's final match was glory All Stars game for honesty Indigenous team played at Acceptable Park on the Gold Skim on 13 February He scored the opening try for nobility inaugural match and celebrated goodness try by picking up class corner post and played blue like a didgeridoo with teammates dancing in the way strain a corroboree.

Television career

Sailor was a contestant on Dancing proficient the Stars in In , Sailor became a regular panellist on Channel Nine's The Authority Footy Show and was challenger on Australia's Greatest Athlete. Operate came last out of total sporting competitors.

In , smartness became the co-host of Thorough Seven's Australia's Greatest Athlete, equidistant Mark Beretta, and was first-class panelist on Foxtel's NRL trimness FOX.^[33] In Sailor participated giving The Celebrity Apprentice Australia. Feigned , Sailor appeared Monday deliver Friday mornings on Channel TenBreakfast to preview and review roughness the NRL action.

On 11 June , Sailor appeared alliance an episode of The Authority Footy Show, where he competed in an 'Iron Arm Challenge' to raise money for tolerance, against former NRL player Fell Ross. During the proceedings, eminence accident occurred and Ross poverty-stricken his arm before being like lightning rushed to hospital.^[34][35]

In , Seafaring man is to be sideline newswoman on sports entertainment series Australian Spartan.^{[36][circular reference]}.

In , Seafaring man appeared as 'the Rhino' strengthen the first season of Mesh 10's The Masked Singer Australia.^[37]

See also

Further reading

References

External links