MORE: Waratahs to uphold philosophy in Super Rugby final
The 39-year-old won four titles with the Crusaders as a player and spent four seasons as an assistant coach under Todd Blackadder before he was lured to Sydney by Michael Cheika last season.
Tahs half-back Nick Phipps excitedly told the media Gibson would provide valuable intelligence on the Crusaders during the week just moments after NSW beat the Brumbies to qualify.
But Gibson, who has had no contact with Blackadder or Crusaders assistants and close mates Aaron Mauger or Tabai Matson this week, laughed off his role as a spy on Thursday.
"I had a little giggle at that, mainly apart from knowing what Toddy has in his coffee, I know no more than any other coach who studies video tape," he said.
"I guess with the Crusaders, they've always been a really adaptable team. This year they've worn many masks in terms of the way they've played the game.
"In terms of insights, I couldn't really share a great deal."
But he did offer this insight about the Crusaders' psyche as they attempt to win their eighth Super Rugby title and fourth away final on Saturday.
"The Crusaders will love this challenge," he said.
"I look back to 2011 with the earthquake and the adversity we suffered through there and we looked at that whole year as a huge challenge, just as they will see coming to Sydney playing against a team that's in very good form.
"It's a challenge they'll relish."
Asked to predict what tactics the Crusaders will adopt on Saturday night, Gibson replied: "I expect them to go back to what they've done all year really. You'll see a lot of pressure at the set piece. They'll try and play a territory game, they don't play a lot of rugby in their territory, so they'll try and play a territory game.
"I expect them to kick the ball a lot. As much as Crusaders rugby is renowned for running I think they'll adapt their tactics to the way to the way they think they can beat us.
And why can the Waratahs win?
"I think we've been very consistent this year with attack and defence, we've proven ourselves and we've earned our way," Gibson said.
"We haven't over stated and under delivered. We've set out early on, 'this is how we want to play the game', we've stuck to that and really tried to shape our identity and improve a little bit every day.
"I'm very proud as a coach to have been involved with a team that has transformed itself and changed so much from the team we took over a couple of years ago."