Blow for footy legend over drunken assault claims

Perth Now08-05-2025

Dual-code rugby star Wendell Sailor will have to wait more than nine months to defend himself against claims he drunkenly assaulted two men after he was asked to leave a pub.
The 50-year-old former Wallabies player allegedly refused to leave the vicinity of a bar in Sydney's city centre on November 6.
He is accused of assaulting two men - one of whom he allegedly intimidated - during a violent altercation outside the venue.
The NRL and rugby union international has pleaded not guilty to two counts of common assault, behaving in an offensive manner, refusing to leave a licensed premises and intimidation.
He is due to fight the allegations in a hearing in late February 2026 involving 21 witnesses, including 12 police officers.
"It's a larger case," Sailor's lawyer Joseph Giang told Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Thursday.
He said the alleged violent altercation was captured on surveillance cameras and body cameras worn by police officers, which will be played during the hearing.
The hearing was initially expected to run for two days but Magistrate Hugh Donnelly set it down for three days after questioning whether all the evidence could be heard in that time.
The matter will return to court in November to ensure the full brief of evidence has been served on Sailor's lawyers before the hearing begins on February 18.
Sailor, who was not required to appear in court on Thursday, will remain on bail.
He represented Australia in both rugby league and rugby union, distinguishing himself as the top try-scorer when the national side 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.