Sailor shrugs off critics - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Sailor shrugs off critics

By Melissa Woods 26/11/2002 10:26:39 PM Comments (0)

The "ridiculous" pressure has failed to take a toll on Wallaby winger Wendell Sailor, who says he feels more confident about his rugby career than ever.

Sailor was singled out after his performance in Australia's one-point Test loss to England on the European tour, with some critics suggesting the former Brisbane Bronco go back to league.

He was described as "lumbering" and attacked as a defensive liability, as England repeatedly made ground up his right wing.

The brash powerhouse winger, who will undergo minor knee surgery next week, said he felt his rugby was improving, although the criticism wasn't.

"Out of my whole career I now feel under the most ridiculous pressure," he told AAP.

"Through Super 12 I felt under a little bit of pressure because people wanted to see how I went ... now there's just people coming out and picking out little things and magnifying it.

"People said I couldn't tackle after the French game and I don't think I missed a tackle all tour and now they're trying to pick out other things which is really frustrating."

Sailor admitted the England game, which included his first Test try, was far from perfect.

But he rated it his best Test performance and said his greatest accolade came from England five-eighth Jonny Wilkinson and fullback Jason Robinson, who congratulated him on his performance after the match.

He then ended the tour with a rousing showing in the Wallabies' 34-3 win over Italy.

"I think I got the confidence the weekend before, against England at Twickenham you won't get too many harder games than that.

"When I walked off that field, I really felt I did something out there at different stages of that game.

"I felt the tour was a personal success for me. I played injured and I think (England winger) Ben Cohen was probably the only one to get me for points through the whole tour."

The continued support he received from his Wallaby teammates and coach Eddie Jones convinced him that he made the right move to try rugby.

And despite what anyone said, he wasn't giving up.

"If I worry about what everyone thinks and take everyone's opinion that I'm not going to make it to the World Cup next year, I might as well give up now.

"But I really believe more than anything next year I'll play a big part in the World Cup team.

"The confidence I've got now, for next year is unbelievable.

"I've left that tour so confident in my role in the (Queensland) Reds firstly, and then what it takes to play at an international level."

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

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