NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar was thrilled with the team's response to his challenge, a thrilling 21-14 win over the Chiefs in Sydney, which revived their momentum.
The Waratahs delivered a titanic defensive performance to hold on for victory over the title favourites to maintain their perfect home record in 2025.
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McKellar's side made 89 tackles in the final 17 minutes, missing just seven, whilst the Chiefs were asked to make just three.
"You can't beat the Chiefs and be relieved — just really, really proud,” McKellar said.
“We challenged each other this week, and the boys bounced back incredibly well.
“They turned up tonight with a whole lot of belief."
The win came after back-to-back losses where the team gave up 102 points combined in the defeats to the Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika.
"Defense is the most important thing in the building,” McKellar continued.
“If we want to be a team that’s prepared to fight and work hard for each other time after time after time, you’ll get reward off the back of it — and we got that tonight.
"At halftime, I just said, 'What does it mean to you?' If it means something, then you genuinely go that extra yard and show that bit more care — and we did that."
The win sees the Waratahs climb back into the top four for the time being, with the task not getting much easier as they turn their attention towards a trip to Fiji against the Drua.
"There were momentum swings — we could have folded like we did against Moana, but the boys bit down on the mouthguard and kept going,” captain Hugh Sinclair added.
“That second half, down a man, they just kept coming. It was really special."
