Big Dell a Tah.....

[The Colonel]

Wendell sets sail south
June 3, 2005

AUSTRALIA winger Wendell Sailor will wear the sky blue jersey of New South Wales next season after cutting ties with Queensland Reds today.

Leaving Brisvegas ... Sailor at Brisbane Airport. Pic: Annette Dew
Sailor, who played 17 rugby league State of Origin matches for Queensland before crossing codes in late 2001, has agreed to terms with Super 12 runner-up New South Wales Waratahs.

The deal will put him at the end of a powerful NSW backline through to 2007 when he is expected to finish his international career after the Rugby World Cup in France.

Sailor, 30, had been frustrated by a lack of opportunities on the wing for Queensland, scoring only two Super 12 tries this season as the Reds finished a disappointing 10th with only three wins.

The high-profile former Brisbane Broncos flyer becomes the latest player to leave the embattled Reds in a highly-damaging exodus from Ballymore.

He joins Western Force foundation skipper Nathan Sharpe and new Brumbies signing Daniel Heenan as Wallabies to be moving interstate for the 2006 Super 14.

Queensland has also lost centre Junior Pelesasa, lock Rudi Vedelago, and flanker Luke Doherty from its full-strength 22 to the Force, as well as squad-members Richard Brown, Tai McIsaac and Digby Ioane.

AAP
http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15495302-39018,00.html

 

[Tighthead]

Good luck to him.

I'm a Reds supporter and I don't blame him.

That's 9 players from the squad who are leaving this year, with no real signings. Something has to be done with the Reds management - new board, new selectors, new coaching staff. Get rid of the Reds Rugby College and put some money into the club game. Start actively trying to recruit some players.

The QRU still thinks its 10 years ago.

 

[strong_latte]

I never thought I'd say this as a new south wales supporter, but I feel sorry for the reds fans... your right TH, the QRU still think it's the amature days... they need to pull their finger out!

 

[Timbo]

Dear oh dear...I don't think we needed him...But I'll wait till next season to pass judgement.

 

[Twizzle]

We don't need or want him

Bid Dell can head west as far as I'm concerned

 

[strong_latte]

Put him at outside centre! He might work there.

 

[Sun_Down]

I'm glad he is coming to the Tahs.

 

[bayrep]

I agree put him in at centre and the Tahs will have a fantastic back 4 next season, they would have to rate as the team to beat next season.

As for Queensland....man they are in big trouble next season they are going to be the whipping boys of the comp it wouldnt surprise me if they go with out a win next season. The bright side is there must be some young talent coming through for Queensland that will make his mark i.e. Phil Kearns for NSW was pulled from club rugby as a nobody.

 

[Resident Warrior]

I would rather move Lote into the centers and put big Del in the vacant wing spot.

 

[Timbo]

I think this backline works best for the Tahs next year:

9-Whitaker
10-Norton-Knight/Donnelly
11-Tuqiri
12-Turunui
13-Rogers
14-Sailor
15-Hewat

Hewat played brilliantly at fullback, so you lose nothing there, and Rogers is an excellent centre, usually playing there at test level.

This is the only way you really keep players in position.

 

[Tighthead]

As for Queensland....man they are in big trouble next season they are going to be the whipping boys of the comp it wouldnt surprise me if they go with out a win next season. The bright side is there must be some young talent coming through for Queensland that will make his mark i.e. Phil Kearns for NSW was pulled from club rugby as a nobody.

Problem is that the Reds selectors/management rarely do this. Unless you are in the 'pipeline' - schoolboys, reds rugby college, u19, u21 etc, you don't get a look in at s12 level. Guys like Hewat, who obviously has talent, ran around in club rugby for years before finally heading for NSW. About the last non pipeline player the reds gave an opportunity was John Roe, and this was well after some outstanding club performances.

The QRU does not seem to care about club rugby, and the many good players running around who should be looked at closely.

 

[Polynesian Warrior]

You are exactly right Tighthead ! I can't believe that some of the current Australian under 19/21 RWC members who are in the REDS college are playing in the colts at club level .
I mean in NZ any kid who has play in the under 19/21 RWC are either playing S12 , NPC , NZ 7's or Premier rugby at club level .
Some Reds college kids can't even make the premier team at club level and are playing second grade for their club .
There are promising young players playing for Sunnybank and Brothers that should be in the Reds team .
What does Johnny Leo have to do to get a game for the Reds ? He was sign by the Reds after he was approach by NRL clubs and Brumbies last year .
He hasn't play for the Reds at all and the same go for Peter Niumata who was sign from Sydney four years ago .

 

[The Camden Leisure Pirate]

I think Dell is a good buy,
although he can have the odd shocker, he still brings a whole lot to
the table. People want to watch him play, love him or hate him.
He will be great for NSW Rugby.

Bring Turunui to 12 and slot Lote into the Outaside Centre position, then he will get all the ball that he needs, it will be a carve-up.....

9-Whitaker
10-Norton-Knight/Donnelly
11-Rogers
12-Turunui
13-Tuqiri
14-Sailor
15-Hewat

 

[bayrep]

I don't agree with either your backline config or Timbos. Both Rogers and Tuqiri are most lethal when they have a bit of freedom to their game. I know as an AB fan it gives me the willies when I see either of them slicing into the line at a different angel which they both do very well. I don't think Sailor has the speed any more so is better at making the break in the back line then throwing a short ball to a winger/fullback cutting back into the line. I also think that Sailor showed that he wasn't great in going looking for the ball when he was in the Reds team. Sailor needs a bit of structure and Centre would suit his game.



9-Whitaker
10-Donnelly
11-Hewat
12-Turunui
13-Tuqiri
14-Sailor
15-Rogers

 

[strong_latte]

I don't agree with either your backline config or Timbos. Both Rogers and Tuqiri are most lethal when they have a bit of freedom to their game. I know as an AB fan it gives me the willies when I see either of them slicing into the line at a different angel which they both do very well. I don't think Sailor has the speed any more so is better at making the break in the back line then throwing a short ball to a winger/fullback cutting back into the line. I also think that Sailor showed that he wasn't great in going looking for the ball when he was in the Reds team. Sailor needs a bit of structure and Centre would suit his game.



9-Whitaker
10-Donnelly
11-Hewat
12-Turunui
13-Tuqiri
14-Sailor
15-Rogers

I'm pretty sure Donnelly will make reserve at best... I'd say this would be more likely:


9-Whitaker
10-Norton Knight
11-Turunui
12-Rogers
13-Tuqiri
14-Sailor
15-Hewat

Maybe not Turinui, but I think they'll want the league boys all in prominent attacking positions... Hewat's a good fullback and Norton Knight has been tagged as the next Larkham.

 

[Timbo]

Turunui is ordinary on the wing. In-centre is his best spot IMO.

I still argue that Donnely is the best option at 10 next year (I said the same of him this year). However I think Norton-Knight will be the starting 10, and Berne will be off the bench.

 

[Twizzle]

I like the idea of Tiquiri in the centres.

Anyone who saw the back page last Monday saw that Dell approached the Waratahs to join them, and they said we would be silly to knock him back.

He must figure that he aint gonna stay in the Aussie team unless leaves the Reds.

As the great Jack Gibson used to say, pick your best 13 (in this case 15) and worry about the number on thier back later.