Dear Mr Rugby League,
First let me start by saying that we are extremely proud of rugby union's NRL recruits in the past five years, Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and the recently retired Matty Rogers, who have all brought much colour and flair to the game of rugby.
I have had the honour of playing with them all, and will one day be able to tell my kids so. They were all highly respected as well as very liked among the playing group and our rugby fans. Rugby league's loss was rugby's gain, without a doubt.
But, in a timely statement as Julia and Tony battle in the polls, I would like to express to you, in recruiting your NRL stars: ''I am sorry.''
Advertisement
Sorry for bringing your game into a state where a single player is bigger then the game.
Sorry for the ones we didn't snare, but created leverage for your sport to pay over the odds to keep them.
Sorry to the fans who lost their hero.
I hope you believe me when we say that we never ever went out to pursue these players and tear your game apart, they simply came knocking asking the question, while we simply answered their call.
It's the very first time in my 11½-year history of being a professional rugby player that I felt the pain your game endured. It's a sickening feeling, as if somebody is walking straight into my front door and stealing my TV while I'm watching it and there is nothing I can do about it.
It has taken the past two weeks of Paul Osborne and the Parramatta Eels' interest in Quade Cooper for me to truly realise this. In an ultra-competitive sporting market, where soap opera sells, rugby has been blanketed with the "talk" of a code switch.
Our market space is very precious to us, and we would ask to have it back to talk about rugby again.
They say any press is good press, but with rugby I tend to disagree.
Over the years we have done it to your three biggest stars, and now you are doing it to one of ours. It's a painful process. I now understand why some league fans despise union.
In an era where every player deserves to be paid the net value, I have no problem in saying that Quade is worth every penny. In fact I can guarantee he'd be a great buy.
The question I feel I have to ask you Mr League is: do you think Quade would succeed in the NRL and in Sydney without the network and support around him like he has in Queensland and in rugby?
Will you also be requiring the services of Will Genia, as they seem to play as a package deal? Will Quade be six or seven or will he be an impact player? Will Quade still be able to travel the world to Africa and Europe once a year with the Eels?
These are all important questions that I hope you don't mind me asking, but I am very concerned about Quade and his future as an athlete.
The things he has done for rugby on the field for Queensland this year have been nothing short of brilliant. If Queensland rugby is strong, it has such an impact on the Wallabies.
It would be very similar to what the Maroons have done for your great game. To walk in and steal the Johnathan Thurston of ours would be gut-wrenching.
If I could suggest another player that may get some benefit out of, it's a bit left-field but I am sure you would agree. He played his final home match ever for the Swans last night, and will retire at the end of the season.
I dare say he will be off the market next year. Most would say he is the toughest Swan of all time. His track record off the field is immaculate and his injury card not too far behind. He isn't the most talented of footballers, but plays the game with a passion and desire that I have never seen before. His name is Brett Kirk.
I think he would be a marvellous coup for the game of rugby league, in fact rugby could also benefit by having a man held in such high regard.
I hope you accept my very humble and noble apology for what we have done to your code and stars of yesteryear. I also hope you can appreciate why I would love to see Quade star at next year's Rugby World Cup final in Auckland, as much as I would love to see him with the Reds.
In return, I would ask you only one small thing: keep your hands off Quade. He is ours.
Yours sincerely,
Adam Freier
