Waratahs find belief on long road back

A CHANCE to make history is motivating the NSW Waratahs, with coach Daryl Gibson seeing tonight’s Super Rugby semi-final as a reward for turning around last season’s disastrous campaign.

Gibson said no one was giving his side much chance against the Lions in Johannesburg, but last week’s comeback win against the Highlanders had infused them with belief.

The Waratahs have lost all five of their Super Rugby playoff matches outside Australia going into the Ellis Park clash.

“For us, that’s a real incentive and a goal,” Gibson said.

“The side is full of belief at the moment, we’ve come off a real emotional high from last Saturday.

“We’ve been under the radar all year and we’ve been a team that’s improved all year.

“We’ve really earnt our way to this semi-final.”

Making the last four represents a significant improvement on 2017, when NSW finished 16th of 18 on the overall ladder.

“I think the biggest challenge of my career was last season, coming out of that season with only four wins in a season that certainly should have promised a lot more,” Gibson said.

“It’s been a really long turnaround … and this team has been working towards these moments.

“I see this as a reward, for all the effort that’s gone in from all our team, our staff and what we’ve been all working towards.”