A sports psychologist helped the NSW Waratahs overturn a week from hell to defeat Queensland Reds

THE Waratahs turned to an unexpected source to fire them up in their grudge match against Queensland.

A PEP talk from a sports psychologist fired up the Waratahs to their gritty win over Queensland after a week from hell.

NSW claimed a thrilling 29-26 victory at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, eight days after one of the most humiliating losses in the club’s history to the Southern Kings.

There were calls for Gibson’s head, while the team was rightly panned for their lethargic showing, creating a tense week for the derby game.

After arriving in hostile territory in Brisbane on Friday, Gibson had the psychologist sit down with the entire Waratahs squad, and the key message was for the players not to make excuses for themselves.

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Trailing 26-20 with 17 minutes to go, NSW scratched and clawed their way to earn three penalties kicked by Bernard Foley before defending a mammoth 27 phases of Reds attack to hold on for a famous win.

Waratahs players celebrate their win over the Reds on Saturday night.

“We did have a special talk on Friday from a sports psychologist, which was really good,” Gibson told the Daily Telegraph.

“There were really simple messages, the boys got a lot from that.

“I think at the moment, with the team where it’s at, having someone with a different perspective and throwing a different light on things was good.

“The guys got a lot out of it. It was a different approach, we were just reframing the period we’re in right now.

“It was part of the week which was built up.

“[Captain] Michael Hooper led the boys really well this week.”

The victory ending a three-match losing streak for NSW and while their finals chances are slim, a form dip by the Brumbies over the final seven rounds could see the Tahs clinch the Australian conference.

“I’m really happy for the boys that they’ve come through, and we’re still alive,” Gibson said.

“We’ve still got an opportunity in this competition.

“We’re not dead and buried. It’s a fact the boys are well aware of and we’re determined to make sure this is a step towards where we eventually want to end up.”

Gibson said it is imperative his side, 3-6 this year, capitalise on the win with another against Auckland’s Blues next Saturday at Allianz Stadium.

“This is a huge boost for the team, the commitment and intent that was missing the week before really came out,” Gibson said.

“It’s too early to say whether we’ve turned a corner, but we’re certainly taken a big step towards the type of defending team we want to become.

“It’s all on us around follow-up, we get an opportunity this week against the Blues to really say ‘That was a turning point’.”

Gibson marvelled at the ferocity of the derby match, which given the Super Rugby format will be the only time NSW and Queensland play each other in 2017.

That is why the Tahs coach is supportive of the ARU’s decision to cut one team from next year, which will allow the Australian conference to have home and away matches against each local rival.

“It was an excellent derby, and when you reflect on that you think, ‘Isn’t it positive that we’re going to get them back?’ and next season we would have a return match,” Gibson said.

“To me that highlighted exactly why we’re making the changes that we are, to get that back.

“It’s still there, that passion that rugby supporters have towards seeing that intent and meaning the players had towards that fixture.

“What was great, and the boys have been saying it, was just the atmosphere in the game around that derby.

“There was a little bit of push and shove, the crowd were into the game. The boys felt like they got booed coming onto the ground, at halftime, after the game, those are special moments they got to experience and I’m pleased they stayed in the fight and ground out the win.”

Originally published as A sports psychologist helped the NSW Waratahs overturn a week from hell to defeat Queensland Reds