While most rugby players would embark on a light run or gym session ahead of a huge weekend clash with their bitter rivals, NTU’s Daniel ‘Potato’ Thiam has decided to venture into the unknown of the unconscious mind, in preparation for a do-or-die mission.

Thiam was spotted attending a seminar on the research work of renowned Austrian neurologist, Sigmund Freud – otherwise known as ‘the father of psychoanalysis’. He has since, seemed to gain invaluable insight on the theory of the human mind and human behaviour.

e-rugby caught up with Thiam for a quick interview.

e-rugby: We see that you’re looking for some kind of inspiration for the game on Sat?

Thiam: Yes. The concept of the dynamic unconscious mind has helped me prepare myself mentally for the upcoming game.

e-rugby: Right. So how are you gonna prepare yourself mentally then?

Thiam: Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless, like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water in a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow, or it can crash. Be water, my friend.

e-rugby: Interesting. But we’ve also heard that Aaron Browne is a tough nut to crack, he possesses uncontrollable animal instinct. Any thoughts on that?

Thiam: I mean, here it is, the natural instinct; and here is control. You are to combine the two in harmony. If you have one to the extreme, you will be very unscientific. If you have another to the extreme, you become all of a sudden........ a mechanical man.

e-rugby: Very philosophical indeed. Can your local style of play handle this type of aggressive opposition?

Thiam: You see, actually, I do not believe in styles anymore. If you do not have style, you just say, well here I am, you know, as a human being, how I can express myself totally and completely. I mean, that is the expression of the human body, I mean everything. I mean, you know, not just going through the motion. And when you’re talking about total rugby as it is, well then, you better train every part of your body.

e-rugby: Wow. So rugby means a great deal to you then?

Thiam: Rugby has a very, very deep meaning, as far as my life is concerned; because as a sportsman, as a rugby player, as a human being, all these I have learnt, from the game of rugby.

e-rugby: Looks like it’ll be a cracker of a game. We’re sure the NTU SELECTORS will be keeping their eyes on this one. How are you going to express yourself in this challenging fixture?

Thiam: To me, okay, to me; ultimately, rugby means honestly expressing yourself. I mean, it is easy for me to put on a show and go through the motion but to express oneself honestly, not lying to myself. And to express myself honestly, that, my friend, is very hard to do it.

e-rugby: Alright, that was some serious psychoanalytical principles you were applying for your mental preparation. We wish you the best of luck for this weekend.

Thiam: Yes, remember; be like water, my friend.