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Rugby League

Sailor agrees deal to return to rugby league

12/05/2008

Former Australian cross-code international Wendell Sailor has secured a return to professional sport after signing a two-year contract with rugby league side St George Illawarra Dragons.

Sailor, who was handed a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine use in April 2006, will return to the sport in which he first made his name.

The 33-year-old former Brisbane Broncos wing scored 110 tries in an eight-year rugby league career between 1993 and 2001 before securing a move to rugby union in 2002.

He went on to win 37 international caps for the Australian national side, including a start in the 2003 World Cup final defeat by England.

And despite his chequered history, Dragons chief executive Peter Doust said the club is confident he will be an asset to the team once he regains match fitness.

"Wendell Sailor is a great athlete and particularly a great rugby league player," Doust said.

"He is a person who brings significant attributes to our club. We have conducted detailed reviews of his injury history, fitness base and overall commitment to achieve, and believe this new partnership will generate positives for both parties.

He continued: "Wendell has a specific educational / experience message to communicate, off the field, and an opportunity to reposition his status as a rugby league player, an athlete and a valued citizen of our community."

Sailor himself said he is "very excited" about the move and expressed his gratitude for the chance he has been afforded.

"I don't believe that my sporting career is finished and I have had a long time to reflect upon it having been outside of the sporting arena since May 2006," the player explained.

"I believe that I can still compete at a high level and it is comforting to know that I now have a real opportunity to do so.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge, I have worked hard on my fitness and I'm excited about playing my first competitive rugby league game since the 2001 preliminary final against Parramatta."

As part of a concerted programme to work Sailor into the first-team setup with the Dragons, he will begin by playing for feeder club Shellharbour Marlins, with his debut set for this Saturday's Jim Beam Cup match against Erina.