Sailor completes code switch

Sailor must wait till November for his union chance

Australian rugby league star Wendell Sailor has formally signed on with the Australian Rugby Union and will officially switch codes on 1 November.

The 26-year-old signed a letter of intent in February but contractual wrangling prevented him from completing the deal until after he played in the State of Origin win for Queensland.

An ARU spokesman has denied claims that Sailor would pick up 700,000 Australian dollars (£252,500) a year to play rugby union.

"The figure Wendell is receiving is constantly exaggerated in the media," he said.

"The ARU can assure people the figure is in line with what we pay senior Wallaby players (about £126,000 a year)."

Sailor has yet to be confirmed in the squad for the Wallabies tour of Europe in November.

If he misses that tour he will not be seen in action until the Super 12 Series for the Queensland Reds next February.