Wendell Sailor has revealed the crucial meeting with Eddie Jones that convinced him to turn his back on a deal with Wayne Bennett and the Brisbane Broncos to switch to rugby union.
Speaking on James Graham’s The Bye Round podcast, the former dual international revealed that he had shaken hands with Gorden Tallis, Darren Lockyer and Shane Webcke in a hotel after the 2000 Rugby League World Cup final in England, promising the stay in rugby league.
“I like to think that I’m a man of my word and integrity, but we’d won the World Cup, and there was him, myself, Shane Webcke, Darren Lockyer. We were the only four Broncos in the side,” said Sailor.
“It was a big year for us, because we’d beaten the Roosters (in the 2000 grand final) and we’d beaten New Zealand (in the World Cup final).
“We were at the hotel and going out and Gordy grabbed me and said ‘we gotta stay together, Dell, we could win a couple of premierships together’ and I got pumped up too because we’d had a good World Cup and said ‘yeah, mate, you’re right!’
“I remember we called Wayne Bennett, whatever time it was (in Australia) and he took the call and said ‘We’ve got a four-year deal for you here, we think you’ve arrived as a world class winger’.
“Think about that: this was 2000, he signed me in 1993 on a $5000 contract so in seven years, no matter what I’d done in Origin and two premierships, Wayne said ‘you’ve arrived as a world class winger’.
Sailor was set for good coin at Lang Park, but even the cashed-up Broncos couldn’t compete with the money flowing through rugby union ahead of the 2003 World Cup.
“It was a four-year deal for $400,000 a year, so $1.6m for a winger, that was good money in 2000,” said Sailor. “I said I was going to stay and me, Gordy, Locky and Webby all shook hands and had a few more beers.
“By the time the alcohol wore off and I got back, my manager said rugby union – Eddie Jones wants to meet you. It’s $800,000 a year, four-year deal, whether you play for the Wallabies or not.
“So I spoke to Wayne and he said ‘we can’t match that, but if you wanna go, go and you’ll always be a Bronco’.”
It was a case of all’s well that ends well for Wendell. He got his payday – though the Wallabies didn’t win the World Cup – and the Broncos continued apace, promoting two stars from within.
“At that time, I don’t think Wayne minded too much even though I’d given him my word because at the time they had two young guys called Lote Tuqiri and Justin Hodges coming through,” Sailor said.
“So sorry Gordy, Locky and Webby – but I think you guys done alright without me.”
East Coast Aces
Roar Rookie
Sailor was a great ball runner. But we had incredible back three players in Latham, Burke & Roff just to name a few that were all displaced due to the league trio of Sailor, Rogers and Lote. I don't think Sailor was worth 800k. That's a lot of money for a winger even in today's money 20 years later. If I'm rating my Australian league converts from my lifetime 1. Andrew Walker 2. Koroibete 3. Folau (ignoring the money wasted due to his bigotry and going back on his word) 4. Lote 5. Peter Ryan 6. Matt Rogers 7. Sailor 8. Barnes 10. Tahu (unfairly treated/scapegoated after a wallabies disaster in SA under Deans) I have probably missed some. As a reds fan i did enjoy Schifcoske, Mclinden and Chambers.
Nacho Collins
Guest
I would pick Ricky Stuart. He had a union background and would have been better than andrew Johns in union. Phenomenal playmaker. Bradley Clyde would have been a phenomenal blindside flanker also. Brett Mullins would be better than any of our current fullbacks. And Noa Nudruku started off playing 7’s rugby for Fiji before signing with the Raiders. That would be a good group to have for the wallabies. Imagine Noa Nudruku and Marika as our wingers…. Sorry - I’m a raiders fan.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Agree he was average to mediocre. Yet so many loved him. I’m not sure why.
Phil
Roar Rookie
13 tries I’m 37 Tests actually.
Wayno
Guest
Hate to be a downer ( realist ? ) on all of this but not sure any of those bought over for the Oz RWC , with the possible exception of Lote, were top draw. Don’t also buy the assumption that Johns , Cronk , Thurston et Al would be the stars everyone assumes - particularly Johns , not enough pace . However , if we had spent the supposed $800k a year Dell earned on the then up and coming u/15’s would we be in the position we currently find OZ rugby in.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
And theWBs used him to bump off 130kg Samoan props.
Double Agent
Guest
Jeez he could get over the ad line. Remember when the Tahs used to use him like an 8 to get over the ad - quickly!! :laughing:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Agreed EFF. There were a couple of fine rugby wingers displaced by Dell (and his big contract). But he could play, and he threw himself into every contact. I enjoyed his enthusiastic charges. And yes he was just starting to build something (with the Tahs and test teams) and bingo! He got himself sin binned. I was in the crowd at one of his tests, when a group thinker started on Dell who was having a fine game. Dells crime it seems fro GroupInk was that he came from league. Not wise enough evidence for mine.
EastsFootyFan
Roar Guru
Big Dell scored more than his fair share of tries in his time in Wallaby gold - the issue was he started his rugby career quite late and it took him time to adjust. In fact, the great shame of Wendell is that it was only about the 2005 SR season that he really started to play to his full potential and was a core part of the Tahs gameplan, but then went and got himself banned for 2 years for substance abuse (which was far too harsh for what it was in my view, but still). As for wingers - I would counter that many have been good for Rugby over the years, from Lote Tuqiri to Koribete, there have been some great finishers that have really added to the Wallabies.
U
Roar Rookie
Sailor was better than an awful lot of wingers the wallabies have had since he retired.
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
Debbie downer! Spoiled my origin fantasy haha…. But if he'd crossed in 92 post world cup, it wouldve been good. They made him promise he wouldnt go to league after the final
TiredOldGit
Roar Rookie
If I was being cheeky I would try to get league players who grew up in NZ and then moved to Aus early like Joseph Manu who played for junior kangaroos. League talent with a potential rugby background in the juniors in NZ. Maybe Brendan Smith and Jerome Hughes too. I doubt they'd wanna be in gold though :laughing:
Dean
Roar Rookie
Greg Inglis was a joy to watch, I too wish he had come across to Union. I remember watching a certain Jonathon Thurston when he was playing for Canterbury, thinking - we need this fella in Union. Soon enough he was a Cowboy and way out of our price reach.
Andy Thompson
Roar Pro
Yeah, he was never going to play rugby union.
Dusty10
Roar Rookie
Absolutely, and I'd give anything to see Matty trot out wearing the number 9 as Reg Reagan.... :)
Dunning Kruger
Roar Rookie
Played junior league for Souths Acacia Ridge. Was always a Leaguie but had to play Union at school. Played Schoolboys Qld and Australia in League too.
Wallaby Legion
Roar Rookie
This to compliment the near half a year that he missed with a back issue for Newcastle, then comes back into the side and leads them to a Grand Final win over a record setting Parramatta team. Johns was all time. Would have been an interesting Hunter Valley pairing of Andrew at 10 and Matt at 9. No idea if Matt would be any good at 9. But I think he would be exceptional at getting under the skin.
Azza
Guest
Meninga retired in 1994 .Horan would have played 1996 for the Bears. So no crossover with Big Mal.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Dell was a Dud deal . Rugby have never needed RL wingers . Cooper Cronk would have been a better deal than giving Hooper and Pocock millions . I always thought that Ron Coote and Steve Menzies would have been great rugby players . If McLennan thinks Savaalii is worth 10 million , Latrell Mitchell would be worth 30 million .
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
Think he played underage union for Oz