Night in custody for NRL legend over bizarre street act

Dual-code rugby star Wendell Sailor spent a night in custody after allegedly blocking traffic in the middle of a busy road in a bizarre incident.

The 51-year-old former Australian league and union international was arrested after police reported a man shouting and standing in the middle of the road in Wollongong at around 11pm on Friday.

He was allegedly stopping traffic near a busy intersection not far from the city center while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Sailor was also alleged to have resisted officers’ efforts to move him before he was charged at Wollongong police station.

The suspect, accused of violating bail conditions, obstructing traffic and resisting arrest, was held in custody before appearing in court on Saturday.

Police said no officers were injured in the incident.

The former premiership-winning NRL player was handcuffed and wearing a Chicago Bulls T-shirt when he was told in bail court at the weekend that he was going through a “difficult” separation from his wife of almost 30 years.

The court was told he admitted breaching existing bail conditions which prevented him from being drunk in public.

Acting magistrate Paul Fernon warned Sailor against obstructing the police who were simply doing their job in arresting him.

“It gets harder when people don’t let them do their job,” he told the former Queensland-born winger.

Sailor was out on bail on alcohol-related charges stemming from an incident in inner-city Sydney more than a year before the last arrest.

He had previously pleaded not guilty to charges of common assault, offensive behaviour, refusing to leave a licensed premises and intimidation after he allegedly attacked 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 commitments.

He released Sailor on conditions that included seeing a doctor within seven days and accepting recommended treatments, as well as an undertaking not to become drunk in public.

“If you violate the bail conditions, you will be detained again. That’s what happens,” the judge said.

“The responsibility is on you…and yours alone.”

When told he would be given leave, the Marine, sitting in his cell, said, “Yes sir. Thank you very much, I appreciate it.”

He will appear in Wollongong Local Court on December 16 on the latest charges, while a hearing on the assault allegations is scheduled for February.

Sailor was a prolific goalscorer throughout his 17-year rugby career; He crossed the line 13 times in 37 appearances for the Wallabies and earned 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 with the St George Illawarra Dragons.