Dellevision: Sailor wants prime-time gig
AFTER learning that television viewers would be able to listen to Wayne Bennett's comments to his players during February's All Stars game, Wendell Sailor asked if he could also be wired-up on the field.
While the February 13 clash between the Indigenous All Stars and an NRL All Stars side boasting the halves combination of Darren Lockyer and Benji Marshall marks the second anniversary of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generation, it is also Sailor's last match and a chance to try new innovations.
The most significant is the opportunity for a side to forego a conversion attempt after scoring a try for the chance to cross again from an additional play starting 20 metres out from their opponent's line, during which both teams will be able to introduce attacking or defensive players off their interchange benches.
But the game will also give fans a rare insight into the instructions Bennett and Indigenous All Stars coach Neil Henry give their teams during quarter and three-quarter time, while the video referee will provide explanations for his decisions to Channel Nine's commentary team.
The referees and trainers from both teams will also be wired-up along with players on the interchange bench but Sailor is keen for fans to hear what he hopes will be a sledging match with St George Illawarra teammate Brett Morris on the wing.
''I've got my fingers crossed Brett Morris will get a start,'' Sailor said of the selection process that involves fans voting for one player from each club to join Lockyer, Marshall - the Australian and New Zealand captains - and Kangaroos and Kiwis vice-captains, Cameron Smith and Adam Blair in the NRL All Stars team.
''Brett Morris has had an outstanding season and at training he sledges me and tells me to retire, but I go back to him and say 'at least I'm the best player in my family'. With the coaches being miced-up, if there is an opportunity for a player to be miced-up I want to be that player.''
Bennett, who has been known to put a towel over the dressing room cameras during a half-time talk to players, said he had no problems with the intrusion of microphones or the other innovations to be tried in the game. ''I realised what I was getting into,'' Bennett told yesterday's media conference to launch voting for the NRL All Stars team. ''It's a great innovation and an opportunity to do a couple of things without turning it into a farce. I'm comfortable with everything we've outlined there.''
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...sailor-wants-primetime-gig-20091125-jrc7.html
