Dearest Link, it’s been no more than 18 months, but we, the Queensland Rugby Public, miss you. The days since you left have grown cold, dark and miserable and I miss the winning feeling I got when we were together. We know that our break-up was mutual and ended on the best possible terms. We also know that you had bigger things in your future and as a State, we couldn’t hold you back from that, it wouldn’t be right of us. But as a Rugby Community that cares for you greatly, it has saddened us to see how you have been treated. How after all of your achievements, your victories and triumphs, you were put in a place where the only option you saw was to walk away. How quickly the ARU moved on to someone else and cast you aside. That Bill Pulver and the rest of his NSW cronies should be ashamed of themselves. We would have never treated you like that Link.
I hear you’re in New Zealand now? Don’t worry, I’m not stalking you but I just like to keep tabs and make sure you’re doing ok. I think we had that kind of relationship – you always cared for us by building great teams, having a strategy for every opposition and most off all, winning. We in turn loved you for it. Then, who could forget 2011? What a glorious year that was! The moment you really stood up and became the coach we needed as a State and won us the Premiership. That will forever be etched in my mind as the greatest moment of our relationship. God we miss you….
We know that you’ve had a rough time but you have to understand, it hasn’t been easy on us either. It’s only early days, but I just don’t know if this new relationship feels right. You set us up with Richard Graham, who was only recently getting over a breakup with the Western Force. I don’t know Link, it’s like all the intentions are there but when it matters, I mean when it REALLY counts, we just get let down time and time again. We tried to voice our concerns and it seemed like the message had gotten across. We got showered with expensive players and it felt good for a while, but all that money can’t make up for the disappointments, as if we could be bought over so easily. You think you can just buy us a James O’Connor and that’s going to make everything ok? Is that what they think of us? Just some fair-weather fans who don’t know a flanker from a fly half? Well this is Queensland, YOUR QUEENSLAND, and we know better. All we really want in the end, is to win. Should that be so much to ask?
I wonder if you would consider ever taking us back? Given that you’re single right now, I think it could work really well. Come home Link, maybe not your original home, but your adopted one. A place where the players rally BEHIND you, not against you. A place where the politics of the game is outweighed by the love of it. The Wallabies didn’t deserve you Ewen but you will always be welcome back to Ballymore. Maybe this letter sounds desperate, but that’s only because we are. Graham just doesn’t understand us, he doesn’t get what we need. We need you; a strong silent type who commands nothing but respect and in return, respect is what you got. We’re not snooty, we just need someone who has actually played at International Test Level. Do you remember how Britney Spears used to date Justin Timberlake? And how he went on to become a huge success while Britney went on to marry Kevin Federline and never managed to resurrect her career, ever again?!?!? Please don’t let us be Britney, because we need our Justin back.
I guess in the end, maybe we need to accept that it is over and we should just get on with our lives. The team you built all those years ago have all but scattered and all we have left now is fond memories. Memories of you standing proudly, a silent guardian, on the ground at Suncorp. This place was once a fortress but now, it lies in ruins. We need you Link. Our relationship before was great, and some might say we should leave it in the past. I think we should give it another try……….
Forever yours, Queensland.
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