He looked like he had lost a fight with a cheese grater and at times Jimmy Cowan's abrasive communication skills matched his battered dial.
There was nothing pretty about the frustrated Highlanders captain's dialogue as he confronted referee Chris Pollock during his side's 32-17 loss to the Crusaders. Afterwards he admitted he might have to temper his chatter to the whistlers.
"It's always going to be a work in progress for me isn't it? That's the sort of character I am when I am playing," Cowan said.
"It's only round one of the competition and I have learned some valuable lessons from last year so hopefully I can take some lessons from that into this year's campaign and move forward."
Last year, Cowan fell foul of referee Stu Dickinson when he was sent off for a late charge on the Blues' Jimmy Gopperth. Earlier, the halfback had verbally baited the Australian ref who gleefully red carded him when given the opportunity.
Cowan, who was involved in an altercation when Crusaders No8 Thomas Waldrom refused to release the ball on Saturday night, sported several prominent scrapes on his face and had to go to the blood bin to be patched up after the melee.
The No9 also took Pollock to task when he was held back by Ben Franks as his All Blacks rival Andy Ellis bashed over for a try. Neither the referee nor the linesman spotted Franks' off-the-ball work and Cowan, who later vented his frustration at Pollock when he disallowed an Adam Thomson "try", was furious.
Next week, the Highlanders host the Blues at Carisbrook and Bryce Lawrence will have the pleasure of the fiery Cowan's company.
But for Cowan, the real danger could lurk with the Australian and South African referees who may not be as lenient as their Kiwi counterparts.
Will he change his style with that lot?
"I dunno mate. I might have to learn to keep my mouth shut. It may seem that I am getting at the referees but I am just speaking on behalf of the team.
"I am just trying to get some valuable information for the team's sake."
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