Sailor on Reds' bench
October 1, 2001

Former rugby league star Wendell Sailor will make his eagerly anticipated rugby debut for the Queensland Reds this weekend at Ballymore in Brisbane.

Queensland Rugby Union chief executive Steve Thornton confirmed that Sailor will play for the Reds when they clash with New South Wales on Saturday.

Sailor has been named on the bench by Reds coach Mark McBain but he is expected to play 15-20 minutes in the second half.

Sailor's Reds debut comes only two weeks after he played his final match for the Brisbane Broncos in their semi-final loss to Parramatta in the National Rugby League.

Sailor produced some of the best football of his career in his final matches for the Broncos including a four try haul in one of the team's play-off matches against St. George-Illawarra.

Sailor's inclusion in the Reds team gives the game a much needed publicity boost with his appearance almost certain to attract a few thousand more through the gates.

"He's been in sensational form in those last two games and we hope that he takes that into 2002," Thornton was quoted as saying on the ABC Monday morning.

While Queensland is blooding Sailor, the Waratahs will not be risking their rugby league recruit Mat Rogers.

Wallaby centre Daniel Herbert and hooker Michael Foley have been rested by Queensland.

Reds: Nick Stiles, Sean Hardman, Fletcher Dyson, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Connors, Matt Cockbain, David Croft, Toutai Kefu, Sam Cordingley, Elton Flatley, Ricky Nalatu, Steve Kefu, Junior Pelesasa, Ben Tune, Chris Latham. Substitutes: Ben Wakely, Paul Warwick, Wendell Sailor, Tom McVerry, John Roe, Rick Tyrell, Tim Tavalea.

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