Parramatta powerhouse Maika Sivoโs barnstorming double on Thursday night โ including an unforgettable late match-winner to sink Melbourne โ was the latest chapter in rugby leagueโs rich narrative of big men starring on the flank.
The 105kg Sivo is carrying the torch passed on by modern era tearaways such as Eels predecessor Semi Radradra, Wests Tigers freight train Taniela Tuiaki and the irrepressible John Hopoate.
In the first edition of Zero Tackleโs Top 8, WILL EVANS from This Warriors Life ranks the greatest wing behemoths the game has produced.
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4. Wendell Sailor
Boasting a record of 110 tries in 189 games for Brisbane and 17 tries in 16 Tests for the Kangaroos, Sailor was regarded as the undisputed best winger in rugby league for eight seasons, before becoming a high-profile defector to the 15-a-side game in 2002.
The larger-than-life Sailor, of Thursday Islander descent, was a tall, fleet-footed powerhouse, and although he was an oft-maligned figure during five seasons in union, he represented the Wallabies 37 times.
After serving a two-year ban for cocaine use, โBig Dellโ made an admirable return the NRL with St George Illawarra, eventually retiring in 2009 at the age of 35. The 191cm flankman was listed at 112kg prior to his last season. Responsible for a slew of memorable long-range solo tries during the 1990s, Sailor was arguably the first โextra forwardโ style winger, with his powerful carries helping the Broncos to three premierships.
