Sailor in the Reds' zone
October 4, 2001

Rugby league convert Wendell Sailor says he is shocked by the amount of technical knowledge he is going to have to absorb to be a success in rugby union.

However, Sailor, who will make his debut for the Queensland Reds against New South Wales on Saturday, is relishing his first week with the team and realises how hard it will be to win a Wallaby jersey.

"I was hoping to fast-track things, but there is so much to learn. Anyway, my goal is the 2003 World Cup," Sailor told The Daily-Telegraph newspaper in Sydney.

"It's going to be the most exciting ride of my life but I didn't realise there would be so much technical stuff.

Sailor said his main concern for Saturday's clash at Ballymore would be trying not to get isolated with the ball.

He added that he was coming to grips with the different style of play between rugby union and league wingers.

"I don't have any problem running the lines and angles, but there are so many more backline moves...in league, I just roved and took the ball up on the edge of the ruck. Pretty simple, really."

Sailor is delighted by the way he has been made welcome by the Reds.

"Ben Tune has been terrific, Chris Latham and Damian Smith have helped and my kicking game has improved already thanks to Roger Gould," he said.

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