Wendall Sailor is a legend of both the 13 and 15 man codes of rugby but what many won’t remember is the fact he played two games for Leeds Rhinos over the festive period from 1998 through to 1999.
The winger starred for the Rhinos on Boxing Day in a narrow win over Halifax before scoring as the Rhinos defeated local rivals Castleford Tigers on New Year’s Day.
This was around the time Sailor began learning the 15 man game at Leeds Tykes before going on to star 37 times for Australia’s international side.
Remarkably, 25 years after Sailor played for Leeds Rhinos his son could soon be playing against the Rhinos in Super League with Tristan Sailor of Brisbane Broncos expected to complete a move to Leigh Leopards within the coming weeks to celebrate the new year.
Leigh have already Australian international halfback Matt Moylan who has now landed in the UK ready to join up with his new teammates as preparations for the 2024 Betfred Super League season intensify.
Moylan was met at Manchester Airport arrivals by club owner Derek Beaumont and taken on a tour of the Leopards Den at Leigh Sports Village. After 11 seasons as a regular in the NRL with Penrith Panthers and Cronulla Sharks, Moylan is now doing the groundwork for his first season in the UK.
Confirmation of one of the biggest and most important signings in club history has attracted a club record sponsorship deal from one of the Leopards’ longest standing and most loyal sponsors.
CS (Civils & Groundworks) Limited have agreed to sponsor Moylan in the club record-breaking deal. Their owner Steve Openshaw is a Life Member of the Leopards, having served the club as non-executive director and provided valued consultancy services over many years, particularly with his expertise of the regulations concerning visa applications for overseas players.
The Leopards are putting together an exciting squad in 2024 and will be hoping to improve upon a brilliant 2023 which saw them finish fifth and win the Challenge Cup for the first time since 1971 ironically against Leeds in one of the most famous finals in the competition’s history and the 2023 final against Hull KR will likely go down likewise.
