Off field bliss and old fashioned hard work is resulting in on-field success for NSW Waratahs forward Jed Holloway.

From spear fishing to the recent arrival of his girlfriend from overseas, Holloway is in a better space.

After four early season run-on appearances at No.8, Holloway spent several games on the bench before being handed a starting lock spot against the Queensland Reds.

The back rower’s ability to run and carry has been an eye-catching addition to the NSW forward pack, with the Tahs winning all three games since he was elevated to their run-on side.

“I’ve been able to get my hands on the ball a bit more. I’m enjoying the playing time,” Holloway said.

Holloway revealed rugby and non-rugby reasons behind his late season form surge.

“Coming off a disappointing 2017 with injuries, I reviewed a lot of my personal efforts as an individual and what I needed to do to be a proper professional,” Holloway said.

“Guys like Hoops (Michael Hooper) and look at their workload … I was just trying to front up and be the best teammate that I could be.

“The guys have been giving me a bit of crap about my girlfriend moving over from the United States being a big part of it.

“‘But I just think getting my life sorted away from football and focusing on that.”

“Like I love to do spear fishing and stuff like that so finding a good balance when I’m away from here and being happy and that reflects on my game.”

Holloway nominated the Royal National Park and Cronulla in Sydney’s south as his preferred destinations to bag his catch.

“Blackfish, drummer, kingfish, lobsters – I’ve got a few waiting at home for me tonight I’m going to dig into,” he said.