Former All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka is returning to the team under new head coach Dave Rennie.
Enoka – who was with the All Blacks for two decades, during which the team took two World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015 – left in 2023.
Among his roles since were assisting at the Chelsea Football Club and Kiwi coach Brendon McCullum at the England cricket team.
New Zealand Rugby today announced that Enoka would replace Ceri Evans. Former team doctor James McGarvey will also return – replacing Martin Swan.
Rennie, appointed as Scott Robertson's replacement last month, said the experience of Enoka – who will join as “leadership and mental performance coach” – will be crucial.
“I want to, firstly, acknowledge the important contribution that Dr Ceri Evans has made to the team over the last two decades,” Rennie said in a statement. “His breadth of experience and expertise in the field of high-pressure performance is world-class and the legacy he leaves is significant.
“We are excited to welcome Gilbert Enoka back into the All Blacks. With two intense seasons ahead of us, including this year’s extended tour of South Africa and the 2027 Rugby World Cup, we believe the experience, deep understanding of the environment, and connection that Gilbert brings will be of huge value,” Rennie said.
McGarvey was team doctor between 2020 and 2023 and resumes a working relationship with Rennie that began with the New Zealand Under-20s in 2010 and continued at the Chiefs from 2012.
“I know that James will transition seamlessly into the group because he already knows the role, the environment, and me as a head coach,” Rennie said.
“Work is already well under way for the season ahead, but having existing relationships such as this certainly help to ensure a smooth process when we are coming together as a new group.”
New Zealand Rugby’s interim chief executive Steve Lancaster said: “On behalf of New Zealand Rugby, I would like to thank Ceri for all the wisdom and insight he has shared since he began consulting to the All Blacks in 2010.
“His combination of experience as an elite athlete and forensic psychiatrist has made him a world-renowned expert in the area of mental performance and we’ve been fortunate to tap into that knowledge to help the All Blacks perform under pressure, including his well-known ‘Red-Blue’ mind model.
“We also thank Dr Martin Swan for the care he has given to the All Blacks as team doctor over the last two seasons.”
Swan will continue his roles with the New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand Cricket.
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