Brisbane fullback Jamayne Isaako has revealed how coach Kevin Walters' decision to introduce the 'breathing for warriors' technique at the Broncos helped snap the club's losing streak and end the panic and in-fighting that had beset the young team.
The most impressive component of Brisbane's 24-0 win over Canterbury on Saturday night was their composure under pressure, eradicating the momentary defensive lapses that had plagued their 13-game losing streak and cost them dearly over the opening two rounds of the NRL season.
Isaako said in the past week Walters had got the team to buy in to the red-head and blue-head breathing technique first adopted by rugby union's All Blacks over a decade ago but now being utilised more frequently by sporting teams worldwide.
The Broncos had been guilty of being "red-heads", acting anxiously or impulsively rather than trying to relax, stay calm and in the moment with positive thoughts.
"We spoke about having a trigger point when things didn't go our way. We stuck to what we set out to do, I don't know if you have seen the Warriors' breathing technique but we introduced that to the team this week and getting our blue heads on instead of our red heads when things don't go our way," Isaako said.
Match Highlights: Broncos v Bulldogs
"We did that when we scored tries, just re-focused our mindsets to get to our next set and get to a kick which is crucial against the good teams.
"We have been too much red-head. We have a lot of boys in the team that let you know when you haven't done your job and that affects the confidence of some boys.
"We have a really young team and we need a bit more positivity and give positive feedback instead of negatives which will lift the team and get the boys firing.
"Kevvie came up with it and all the boys had to buy into it. It was something we needed.
"The last two weeks we have gone through lapses where teams have scored on us back-to-back and it has hurt out confidence. We needed to get back to a re-focused mentality."
The mentality shift worked wonders for the Broncos and with the pressure now lifted from breaking the drought, the young team feels like they're moving in the right direction and ready to confront the Storm in Melbourne on Friday.
Isaako said Walters had played a big role in sparking his heroics over the Bulldogs, giving him pointers on how to inject himself into the game rather than waiting for the game to come to him.
"I sat down with Kevvie throughout the week and discussed how to get myself more involved in the game," he said.
"For me, as a fullback, it's building combinations with my centres and wingers and I certainly linked up with them tonight. We played together as a team and if we play consistent and complete our sets at 80 per cent and winning that field position, we can put the foot on the throat."
Isaako breaking ankles at the back
With news young back-rower Brendan Piakura has rejected Canterbury and is set to re-sign with the Broncos this week, Isaako was hopeful Xavier Coates, Kotoni Staggs and Tom Dearden would also sign new deals soon so the up-and-comers of Brisbane could begin the process of building long-term success.
"We have a young crop of boys who are the future of the club coming through," Isaako said.
"The likes of Kotoni and Brendan and all those blokes the club is looking to re-sign, it's important we do keep them because they are the future of the club and the club has invested a lot of time bringing them through the lower grades. We want to keep them at the club and build the Broncos which is the goal for the club."