Gilbert Enoka returns as All Blacks wider management group confirmed

New Zealand Rugby have announced new changes to the management group under Dave Rennie, with long-serving former All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka returning in a new role.

Enoka, who held a role with the All Blacks and NZR for over 20 years, is the new Leadership and Mental Performance Coach under Rennie and the new coaching staff.

With the new additions, Dr. Ceri Evans will depart the All Blacks, after first contributing to the group back in 2010, while Dr. Martin Swan has left his role as Team Doctor after two seasons in charge.

“I want to firstly acknowledge the important contribution that Dr. Ceri Evans has made to the team over the last two decades. His breadth of experience and expertise in the field of high-pressure performance is world-class and the legacy he leaves is significant,” Rennie said.

“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.”

Dr. James McGarvey will return to the All Blacks to become the new team doctor, the same role he held for three years between 2020 and 2023, continuing a longtime relationship with Rennie.

McGarvey was part of the wider management group with the New Zealand U20’s in 2010, also holding a role with the Chiefs in the years following his stint with New Zealand Rugby.

“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 on the McGarvey appointment.

“Work is already well underway 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.”

Interim NZR CEO Steve Lancaster praises the work of Dr. Evans and Dr. Swan, who have contributed a significant amount of work to the envronment in recent years.

“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,” Lancaster said in an NZR statement.

“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. Martin’s strong focus on wholistic wellbeing and the Te Whare Tapa Wh? health model has been important within the team.

“We wish him the very best for the future, including his ongoing work with the New Zealand Defence Force and New Zealand Cricket.”

NZR’s interim CEO adds that it’s an exciting time to have both Enoka and McGarvey back involved with the All Blacks.

“It is fantastic to be welcoming two very experienced All Blacks alumni back and we know what a valuable contribution both Gilbert and James will make,” Lancaster said.