Rugby legend Wendell Sailor found himself spending the night in a cell following an unusual incident that unfolded on a bustling road. The dual-code rugby star was reportedly discovered obstructing traffic, leading to his arrest.
The 51-year-old former Australian league and union international came to the attention of authorities after police received calls about a man causing a disturbance by yelling and standing in the middle of a roadway in Wollongong late on Friday night.
Sailor was allegedly disrupting vehicles near a busy intersection close to the city center, while seemingly under the influence of drugs or alcohol, according to reports.
The situation escalated when Sailor allegedly resisted officers’ efforts to remove him from the road, resulting in his arrest and subsequent charges at the Wollongong police station.
He faces accusations of breaching bail conditions, obstructing traffic, and resisting arrest. Sailor was held in custody pending his court appearance on Saturday.
Fortunately, police confirmed that no officers were injured during the incident.
The premiership-winning former NRL player appeared in handcuffs wearing a Chicago Bulls T-shirt as the weekend bail court was told he was in the process of a “difficult” separation from his wife of almost 30 years.
He accepted he had breached existing bail conditions that prevented him from being intoxicated in public, the court was told.
Acting magistrate Paul Fernon warned Sailor against obstructing police who were just doing their jobs while arresting him.
“It’s a job that’s made harder when people don’t let them do their work,” he told the Queensland-born ex-winger.
Sailor was on bail for alcohol-related charges stemming from an incident in Sydney’s city centre more than a year earlier when the latest arrest took place.
He previously pleaded not guilty to charges of common assault, behaving in an offensive manner, refusing to leave a licensed premises and intimidation after allegedly attacking two men outside a bar in November 2024.
Mr Fernon said he understood Sailor was going through a difficult family situation, but that was no excuse for breaching his undertakings.
He released Sailor on conditions that included seeing a doctor within seven days and accepting any recommended treatments, as well as an undertaking that he wouldn’t be intoxicated in public.
“If you breach your bail conditions, you’ll end up back in custody. That’s just what happens,” the magistrate said.
“The responsibility is on you … just you.”
Sailor, who sat forward in his cell as he was told he would be allowed to leave, replied: “Yes sir. Thanks very much, appreciate it.”
He is due to face Wollongong Local Court on December 16 on the latest charges, while a hearing has been scheduled for February over the assault allegations.
Sailor was a prolific try-scorer during his 17-year rugby career, including crossing the line 13 times in 37 games for the Wallabies and earning a start in the 2003 Rugby World Cup final.
He finished his 222-game NRL career in 2009 after nine seasons with the Brisbane Broncos and two seasons with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
