Wendall: You Have Made a Shocking Decision

[imported_Mailman]

Wendall Sailor is set to be a flop in Rugby Union.His form has been uninspiring and there have probably been 8 or more better wingers than Sailor, on form, this year.

Some may claim that Wendall will be a star, given the success of Jason Robinson and Andrew Walker at international level this year. However, what makes both of these players so successful in union is their skill level and dynamic speed off the mark. Sailor lacks in both of these areas.

Sailor will find that there is not a lot of room for wingers in union. He will constantly be confronted by 3 or 4 players at any one time. Whilst he is big, strong and powerful, there is only so much one man can do when confronted by many. A huge emphasis is placed on "continuity" in union, which basically means retention of the ball for a number of phases. Sailor is so used to trying to beat defenders through sheer strength in league, that it will more than likely stay with him in union. However, if he does this, there is a high chancethat the opposition will "turn" him or "hold" him up, forcing a turnover of possession which union coaches absolutely despise.

Having played both league and union competitvely, I confidently predict Wendall will suffer a huge lack of enjoyment in his new sport. He will hate the training - it is so repetitive and serious - and he will miss the comraderie, mateship and fun of league. After a season of union, Wendall will be wanting out of his ARU contract. He will want to return to the sport that he has had so much success at and has loved all of his life.

 

[imported_Roopy4246]

Wendall is 29 and has negotiated a great little retirement package for himself as far as I can see.
I don't think it will matter how he goes at Union, either good or bad could be looked at as a positive for League. If he goes well, it proves that League has better players. If he goes badly, it proves that the games are too dissimilar and Union need not go after any more League players.

 

[Marcus]

Mailman,

it is very hard too tell how Wendall will go in union. But I really believe that he has the capacity to be a Wallaby. He more than anyone else in the Reds next year, will be trying his hardest to make an impact - just too prove to those doubters.

We know that Wendall is big and fast, but the game of RU is different to that of RL. Wendall will have to play a more smarter game. In RL it is all about hit-ups, in RU its a different situation. Players need to be able to outwit opponents with footwork as well as running the angles. Kicking is a must for RU players especially backs. This is a real weakness in Wendalls game and I expect the Reds coaching staff to give him special attention.

I believe Wendall will struggle in some Super 12 games next year, but hopefully find some sort of rhythm near the end of the season. I for one will be cheering for him at Ballymore, and hope he has great success.

Roopy,

If he goes well, it proves that League has better players. If he goes badly, it proves that the games are too dissimilar and Union need not go after any more League players.

Remember Wendall is the cream of the crop in RL. He was the standout for the Kangaroos in RLWC. He only just turned 27 yrs, and still is in the peak of his career.

 

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[Marcus]

Roger Ramjet,

If you watch RU, you will realise that players need to make smart decisions. The game is complex and very strategy orientated - compared to RL. You should already know that RU doesn't give you six chances to do something with the ball - this means players need to think about what they are going to do. Whether to kick, pass, create a maul or ruck, are some of the facets of decision making in RU - you can't deny this.

In RU, forwards aren't exactly the smartest people you know. Its the backs that have all the brains. Forwards are the one's that do all the hard work, while the backs get all the lime light. The most smartest man on the field in RU is the fly-half. Its him that actually controls the direction of play for the team.

As for Lomu, well he doesn't need to outwit his opponent when he can steamroll them (6ft5, 118kg, runs 100m under 11 secs). Lomu definitely needs to learn how to kick better, mainly for touch finders.

I think Larkham, George Smith, Brian O'Driscoll (Ireland), and Cullen are all fantastic players. As for League, I rate Johns and Lockeyer above the other League players you mentioned.

BTW, Sailor may not be scoring many tries this year, but his defensive game is up to scratch. If this is the worst he's been, then he is pure talent. I did see him play for the Kangaroos a few weeks back, did I not?

 

[Cronulla_Mania]

Marcus, i have had this argument for so long with people and quite honestly, it gets so repetitive. So i will resort to facts. The so called 'running game' produced 1 try in 160 minutes of rugby in south africa. What happened to the attacking skills of the players? Im sure you won't resort to the theory 'the defense was to good' because quite honestly, we know that overall, league players are much more skilled in the art of tackling. You can't knock facts, union is definitely a different game to league, but to see only one try out of tally of 50 points in 2 games is laughable...
I don't like Wendy to much, but he will blitz them in union. He is far more skilled then the players who currently occupy the wing positions at the reds and wallabies. You can talk to me about the so called 'skills' that are required, but his strength alone will mean he will score many against opponents who can't tackle.....Just look at robinson, he has embarrased them since he crossed over. He has so much more class then the other players it is tragic. Im not going to sit here and argue this, just wait and see what happens next year...
MFC.

 

[Marcus]

MFC,

Wendall won't blitz them in RU. I didn't see Robinson blitz them with Sale. He well though be a good runner with the ball, and I hope he makes a successful transition.

Mate, you can say whatever you like about RU - I really don't care. The fact that 4 high profile RL players have gone to RU is really something to smile about - not even the so called "greatest game" could keep them. Now don't say they went for the money, cause thats so incorrect. Remember Wendall could have went to ESL if he wanted more money. Paul was offered the exact same salary at Bradford.

 

[Cronulla_Mania]

Marcus, you went on a rant there totally ignoring what i said. You failed to recognise the fact that only one try was scored in 160 minutes in the so called running game. Mate, i don't mind you having a go at league but at least recognise the facts.... Rugby is not the perfect game!
Did u see RObinson against the wallabies and some of the other touring games?? He scored 5 tries in one of the games! He won't blitz them?? This was a supposed 'international tour' and he was scoring tries at will. The calibur of players over here would generally be higher, so if he can blitz them over here (which he did) he would be putting them to absolute shame in Sale...
Wendy wanted to stay in Queensland. Money was not the only motive. Paul was disgruntled (and in some ways justifiably at the RL international scene) that has more to do with the RLIF and is a topic of discussion for another day.....
Mate, im not going to sit here and argue whether or not Wendy will blitz them, just wait, watch the games next year and then come back with an informed decision...
The Fan.