When Fraser McReight and his Queensland Reds teammates run out for their season opener, they might feel like they’ve seen it all before.
On the eve of their Super Rugby Pacific campaign, the Wallabies flanker and two-time defending domestic player of the year revealed how high-performance psychology is taking his game to another level.
Visualisation, decision-making under pressure, anxiety management and mental preparedness exercises are now part of the Reds’ program.
They’ll be put to the test against Moana Pasifika on Friday in Brisbane for the first time this season, after a round-one bye.
The stacked squad is entering a second season under aspirational coach Les Kiss, determined to improve on back-to-back quarter-final exits.
And while their list has been strengthened, it’s a handful of off-field signings that could prove influential.
Dietitian Cassie Ferguson and professor Dimitri Perrin, a French data science expert, are new additions at Ballymore.
And Hayley Cronin is now the Reds’ head of psychology after serving last season as player development manager.
Cronin will be on the road with the team, working closely with Kiss and his assistants, as well as the medical staff, in a high-performance role.
“Obviously I had a good year last year, I want to hopefully have a great year this year,” McReight, introduced by Kiss at the team’s season launch as the world’s best No.7, said.
