But according to Gatland, Stridgeon pushed the Welsh players to new limits at pre-World Cup fitness camps in Switzerland and Qatar, with paramedics even put on standby.
"The biggest day is always the one preceding the rest day," said Stridgeon. "The boys get up in the morning, do some monitoring, tell us how they feel on the iPad and weigh themselves for any fluctuation in weight. We have our most intense session of the week - about 50 minutes - after lunch, then cryotherapy."
Wrestling-style grappling is a key component of Stridgeon's training, aiding tackling and the core strength needed at the breakdown.
But at Wales' supposedly haunted team base in Surrey, the coach - whose nickname comes from Adam Sandler's character in the film The Waterboy - has been taking his duties to new levels.
"As support staff, we deal with anything," said Stridgeon. "A little team talk before they go to bed - "listen, if the ghost comes, just give us a call".
"Dan Lydiate saw a big figure at the end of his bed with a massive beard. We thought it was Jake Ball but somebody said Henry VIII. He managed to get back to sleep, but then Sam Warburton couldn't. They've moved rooms.
"Me and Gats go back to 2002. He gave me my first job at Wasps, so when he rang me it was a dream. There's a lot of trust and everyone is tremendously loyal. The culture is so strong. There are no egos."
The job ahead of Sunday's top-of-the-pool meeting with Australia has been made easier by a nine-day turnaround but Stridgeon said: "Our goal has always been to top the group."
- Daily Mail
