The stony faced stare is sobering enough but a Wayne Bennett dressing down is a whole new level of grief - a fact the New Zealand World Cup team can now vouch for.
The idyllic surrounds of the Kiwi rugby league team's Gold Coast base for this week may scream "holiday".
However, "stern words" from NZ assistant Bennett have ensured the Kiwis are in no mood to relax in the countdown to their must-win Cup clash with PNG at Skilled Park tonight.
Kiwis captain Nathan Cayless admitted Bennett had "got stuck in" to the team along with head coach Stephen Kearney in the fall-out over their opening 30-6 loss to Australia.
Bennett may have let rip at his new team - but Cayless credited the same man with rebuilding their confidence after being demoralised by Australia.
Cayless said the Kiwis could already see the benefit of NZ's controversial decision to recruit the six-time NRL premiership coach for their Cup tilt.
