Wendell Sailor a shock Origin selection?

Peter Cassidy | rugbyleaguelive.com | 07/05/08 | 0

Wendell Sailor is just days away from reigniting his NRL career after a two year stint away from football, but according to his peers – a shock Origin recall may not be out of the question.

Sailor's 24-month cocaine suspension ends on Monday and the former Test winger is expected to join St George-Illawarra on a two-year incentive-based deal.

The 33-year-old enforcer left the NRL to join the Queensland Reds Super 12 (now Super 14) rugby club in 2001, before representing the Wallabies in the 2003 Rugby World Cup.

In May 2006 Sailor played his last game in either code after after returning a positive drug test for cocaine and anabolic steroids.

But despite his seven year hiatus from rugby league, Queensland greats have tipped a comeback of monumental proportions.

Maroon stalwart Jason Smith suggests Sailor's State of Origin career is far from over, even opening the door to a call up to the 2008 series.

"Maybe not this year, but Wendell looks after himself pretty well and I wouldn't rule out the possibility if Queensland lost a game or two and Wendell was playing well for St George Illawarra," Smith told News Limited.

"There are eight weeks until the third State of Origin, so he has enough time to prove himself, especially if the Dragons give him a chance at NRL level.

"I've had first-hand experience with the loyalty Queensland selectors have to the blokes who have done the job in the past.

"I can't see why there would not be a jersey there for Queensland for him next year. I can see him having three good years in the NRL."

If Sailor was to be handed a jersey in 2009, he would be 34 years of age – still almost two years younger than Allan Langer when he played his last game for Queensland in 2002.

Langer was one month short of his 36th birthday. He is the oldest player to ever pull on the Maroon jersey.

I wouldn't rule out the possibility if Queensland lost a game or two and Wendell was playing well for St George Illawarra... Maroon stalwart Jason Smith