Only the Australians would fire a coach in mid-season and then watch the victim, Ewen McKenzie in this instance, taking his Waratahs side to second place on the Super 14 log as the sole remaining team outside of New Zealand and South Africa still in the running to lift the trophy.
McKenzie, a World Cup winner with Australia in 1991 as a player, and the equal most capped Wallaby prop (51 Tests), opened his heart to the Cape Argus on Tuesday over the sadness he had felt at the controversial decision which suddenly saw him axed halfway through this year's Super 14.
McKenzie had taken the Tahs to the semi-finals of the competition in 2006, losing by two points to the Hurricanes a year after they had made the final, being beaten by the Crusaders in Christchurch.
By all accounts he has delivered the goods in a five-year term as head coach, and if they do make this year's semi-final or final, the executives back in Sydney are going to be cast as the dunces of world rugby.
In the build-up to Saturday's crucial game at Newlands, against a Stormers side who are two points adrift on the table, McKenzie revealed the emotional roller-coaster he has endured since the axe fell.
It seems almost macabre that while speculation surrounds the future of another Australian, Blues coach David Nucifora, McKenzie appears to be on his way to France as coach of Stade Francais, and Brumbies mentor Laurie Fisher has also been fired. At the other end of the food chain three South Africans; Frans Ludeke (Bulls), Naka Drotske (Cheetahs) and Loffie Eloff (Lions), are all still gainfully employed.
"I suppose these decisions are made, but not without much sadness, and then you just have to make the best of it," said McKenzie on Tuesday.
"You are not entitled to be there forever and in that context the call was made. But that does not mean we are not still keen to do well this year. Despite everything we have managed to stay together and keep focused. I am proud of the effort of all the players keen to keep their eye on the job, and the team in a good position in the competition."
Everything in the performance of the Waratahs' players since McKenzie's axing suggests they are playing for their coach, and aim to send a signal to the boardroom blazers who made the controversial call.
McKenzie, however, believes the side have played well all year and their recent form was merely a continuation of that effort.
"First of all in Round 1 we beat the Hurricanes, scoring three tries to nil. The players came out and hit the ground running even though there were questions over our style of play and things like that. We beat the Crusaders in a trial game in January, so we had actually rediscovered the habit of winning after last year.
"I do not think the decision over me was the catalyst. We were already well on track from work in the pre-season and hard decisions made in recruitment. You don't just start winning overnight, it takes preparation and hard work to turn it all around."
With just one more game to play, against the Reds, the Waratahs would be favourites to secure a home semi-final if they won at Newlands on Saturday. Stormers' coach Rassie Erasmus has already predicted that it won't be pretty over the weekend as both sides strive to play risk-averse rugby in pursuit of an all-important victory.
"I am not sure I have seen a team Erasmus coaches that does not play without ball movement and width. So I am not sure all of those things will be there. But that does not mean he can't play a tight game.
"He is probably saying they will take their shots at goal and I'm not sure exactly what else might be in it. This is an important game and winning is the most important thing before bonus points come into the equation," said McKenzie.
The battle of the backrows, featuring Robbie Diack, Francois Louw and Luke Watson up against Wycliffe Palu, Phil Waugh and Rocky Elsom (all capped Wallabies) will be one key contest, as will the scrums.
"The backrow clash is pretty important, not just in terms of ball-playing at the breakdown but also in support play. Both sets of loose forwards can be influential and the two teams are similar statistically, so the head-to-head clashes will be vital.
"And the scrum is always a key area of the game. We've got a couple of props who seem to be the butt of many jokes around the world. But we are happy with the work we've done all year and feel we have handled things well.
"Even though we will be without Matt Dunning (calf injury), who did a great job switching from loosehead to tighthead, we've got some good performers and are happy with that.
"A key psychological battle is getting over the top of the opposition and we'll be trying to achieve that as one of the key areas," said McKenzie.