"It's kinda like the ref has blown the whistle at the end of the game - there is no point in arguing." This is ousted Sharks coach Hugh Reece-Edwards' philosophy on what has happened to him this week.
Reece-Edwards was quick to say players backchatting the ref was one thing he detested when coaching, and he did not want to do the same thing now with the Natal Rugby Union (NRU).
Reece-Edwards is uncertain about what his future holds. But, he says, after nearly 20 years in the sport, he doesn't think he will give up coaching that easily.
"The fact that I can pinpoint what went wrong means I am still in the right business and that I can still coach," he said.
"But not Natal," he added.
At Monday's NRU monthly board meeting, Reece-Edwards' coaching with Sharks was terminated.
When he faced the board on Monday night he knew his job was hanging by a thread, but was pleased they were giving him an opportunity to state his case.
Which he did. For half an hour Reece-Edwards explained where he believed he and the team had gone wrong. There were three reasons for failure, he said - communication, discipline and fitness.
Brian van Zyl, NRU chief executive officer, said discipline and fitness were issues, but he felt communication wasn't really a problem.
"We have to play well in the Currie Cup, very well. We need to win and we need to get into the final, and we couldn't see the team doing that under Reece-Edwards' coaching and leadership."
Van Zyl said "rumblings" began in management regarding Reece-Edwards' future when Sharks were booed off the field after the Auckland Blues match.
The Independent on Saturday's Des Cooney reports NRU President Kevin Dunkley said that with the advantage of hindsight, it was possible the board had erred in appointing Reece-Edwards.
But after he was appointed, it was up to the coach to produce the goods. "So the board must be apportioned some of the blame in that regard," he said.
"It was a difficult decision as Hugh was one of the family. But he has admitted perhaps he was a little naive to think he could take the team through, as he had not been at the rock face.
"One must not forget that Mac was also a hard act to follow. In retrospect we should have got a more experienced outsider."