Now, the 30-year-old Ospreys' hooker, who is off to Gloucester next season, is hoping that Gatland's Class of 2014 can go one better and finally lay to rest the claim that Welsh rugby is at its most vulnerable when it is most fancied.
"Coping with the position in which we find ourselves is what Gats and the coaching staff are trying to get into us,'' said Hibbard. "They want us to be comfortable being at the top.
"We know that if we can be comfortable with that, we will start beating the southern hemisphere teams and winning other things apart from the Six Nations.
"It's great to win things and last season was fantastic for all of us. However, we have got to start being comfortable and being the team
everyone wants to beat. It's a good place to be and I enjoy knowing that everyone is coming after us. It gives you that little bit of fear and it is always great to play with a bit of fear.''
If Wales are to enter the history books, they will need to show greater nous than they did when they kicked off last season's championship against Ireland in Cardiff. After a sloppy start, they trailed 20-3 at half-time and despite a vastly improved second half eventually lost the game 30-22.
It was a valuable lesson learnt. Thereafter, they won all four of their games, including three on the road, and did not concede a try in 320 minutes of rugby. They also wound up their season with that incredible 30-3 mauling of England.
"We had one bad half of rugby, in the entire tournament last year, and it was costly,'' said Hibbard. "So, we definitely can't start like that again. We've got to really set out our stall and get everyone saying, `Look out, here comes Wales'.
"A great deal has been said about that first 40 minutes against Ireland, but it was an accumulation of things. For example, we had lost seven on the bounce and there was a lot of pressure building.
"Thankfully, although we didn't win the game, we restored a bit of belief in the second half and the rest is history. If we could do that again, it would be great.
"However, it's like anybody who finds themselves on top - everyone else is coming after you.''
If the external pressure is not great enough, the battle between the Welsh Rugby Union and its four regions over central contracts, among other issues, has again raised its head, at the most inopportune of moments.
On Wednesday night Regional Rugby Wales confirmed that captain Sam Warburton, who on Saturday became the first Welsh player to sign a central contract, would not be able to play for his region Cardiff Blues next season under the current agreement between the regions and the governing body.
Assistant coach Rob Howley could hardly hide his consternation at the timing of the announcement just three days before Wales's opening Six Nations match at home to Italy. He said: "I think Sam is aware of it. I have spoken to Sam, and I think Warren has this morning. Obviously, there is surprise at the timing of it.''
Hopefully, the ill feeling between the two sides will not spill over into the weekend and that Wales can focus their attention on giving Gatland and Howley a winning start to their 2014 season.
