The oft-repeated excuse of the famous when caught in compromising situations seemed ineffective when dual-code rugby legend Wendell Sailor found himself in trouble during an intoxicated escapade.

According to court records, the ex-Wallabies star became visibly upset during a conversation with another individual at Pappy’s Bar in Sydney’s city center on the evening of November 6, 2024.

Authorities were summoned after Sailor exhibited aggression towards a taxi driver, and they discovered him unsteadily navigating the street.

The court documents reveal that he was heavily under the influence, exhibiting a strong odor of alcohol and slurred speech while verbally assaulting the police.

The situation escalated, prompting officers to call for additional support as they faced difficulty in detaining the increasingly belligerent former NRL player, who resisted arrest by tensing his arms and pressing against a vehicle.

Despite resistance from nine officers, Sailor was eventually subdued and taken into custody, where he continued to display aggressive and confrontational behavior, according to the agreed facts.

The 51-year-old appeared in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Monday after pleading guilty to failing to leave a premises after being excluded, intimidation, and resisting police. 

His lawyer asked the court to dismiss the charges on mental health grounds, citing information arising out of a psychiatric report. 

If the application is not successful when it’s heard on Friday, Sailor will be sentenced.

The former rugby great is in the process of a difficult separation from his wife of nearly three decades, a court was previously told.

He represented Australia in rugby league and rugby union, distinguishing himself as the top try-scorer when the Kangaroos won the Rugby League World Cup in 2000. 

Sailor also proved a prolific scorer during a four-year rugby union stint, crossing 13 times in 37 games for the Wallabies and earning a start in the 2003 World Cup final.

He finished his 222-game NRL career in 2009 after nine seasons with the Brisbane Broncos and two seasons with St George Illawarra.

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