Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

The dual Australian rugby and league international Wendell Sailor has announced his retirement from all professional sport.

The 35-year-old winger enjoyed a decorated 16-year career in which he represented Australia in both codes, finishing this season by winning the NRL's minor premiership with St George Illawarra under his old Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett.

That was the end of a two-year league comeback, following a switch of codes to rugby in 2001.

Sailor moved to the Queensland Reds where he played all his Super rugby until another move to the New South Wales Waratahs five years later.

The colourful Sailor was dumped from the Waratahs Super 14 side after testing positive for cocaine in 2006.

The Torres Strait Islander moved into commentating and competed in television's Dancing with the Stars before making a successful return to the 13-man code with the Dragons last year.

Sailor played 222 first grade NRL matches, 14 State of Origin matches for Queensland and 14 Tests for the Kangaroos.

He also played 55 Super rugby matches and 37 Tests for the Wallabies.