Mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka announces end to All Blacks career

Legendary mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka has announced that his time with the All Blacks will come to an end at the conclusion of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

This year’s World Cup will be Enoka’s sixth with the All Blacks, his career with the team exceeds 20 years and nearly 300 Tests.

Enoka claims the title of the longest-tenured current member of the All Black’s management staff and has garnered the respect of rugby fans and unions the world over for his work, especially his contribution to the two World Cups won during New Zealand’s historic winning era of the early 2010s.

“Each of my 23 years has been an honour and a privilege,” Enoka said in a statement released Saturday. “I feel humbled to have been able to contribute to this most wonderful of legacies.

“The time is right for me to pass on the baton. I am committed to ensuring that I fulfil my duties in 2023 to the best of my abilities, in what presents itself as the most special of opportunities.

“I would like to thank my family for their support throughout my All Blacks tenure and those who led the group during my ‘tour of duty’ including Wayne Smith, Sir Graham Henry, Sir Steve Hansen and Ian Foster. They are all very special men.”

Outside of the All Blacks, Enoka has applied his mental skills coaching with New Zealand’s Netball team the Silver Ferns and the country’s cricket team, the Black Caps. English Premier League Football club Chelsea have taken on Enoka’s services as a consultant with a short-term contract in 2023.

New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson shared a glowing testament in response to Enoka’s announcement.

“Gilbert has played a huge part in moulding the All Blacks legacy over the last two decades,” said Robinson. “His ground-breaking work around the team’s culture and environment has been highly influential in sustained success for the team.

“On behalf of New Zealand Rugby we would like to thank Gilbert and his wife Michelle. We recognise their hard work and support, and wish their family the very best for the future.”

All Blacks coach Ian Foster also had kind words for his fellow coach.

“Gilbert has been an integral and special member of the All Blacks over many years,” said Foster. “I thank him for his commitment to the jersey and I know that he will give everything he has for this team this year.”