'The coaches that I've seen achieve the greatest success have three things in common'
From Wayne Smith to Graham Henry, and then from Steve Hansen to Ian Foster, All Blacks mental skills coach Gilbert Enoka witnessed greatness in his 23 years with the team. The now world renowned psychologist’s observations over that period unearthed some vital keys to success.
The mental skills role is, in large part, one of observation and Enoka, being the longest-serving member of All Blacks management – until his recent retirement from the team following the World Cup in France – has had plenty of opportunity to observe and learn from some of the best athletes and leaders in the game.
He was asked by RNZ for his thoughts on the Wallabies’ struggles in connecting with a head coach and finding success, specifically under big personalities like Michael Cheika and Eddie Jones.
“When people come in, it’s fresh and it’s new,” Enoka replied on RNZ. “There’s a lot of dialogue around the history and what people have achieved. Both those men are interesting characters, I’ve met them both.
“The coaches that I’ve seen perform and last and achieve the greatest success have three things in common: One is they know who they are, they’ve spent time doing that.
“(Secondly) they be who they are, so they’re not trying to be someone else and there’s no inconsistency in the expression of that talent.
“And, they stay being who they are; I think sometimes when people can come in and they are different and they can use bravado, and players see everything, they see through anything that’s false, they’ll detect frauds in a heartbeat and if you’re not who you are and you’re not consistent in being that then all of a sudden they’ll chew you up and spit you out in a heartbeat.”
There’s no substitute for authenticity when it comes to leadership in Enoka’s eyes. Having brought up 300 Tests during the Rugby World Cup, Enoka’s departure from the team highlights the turnover of experience off the field as well as the traditional exodus of verteran players post World Cup.
However, Enoka insists he’s leaving the team in good hands.
“I saw Razor (Scott Robertson) on Wednesday this week and we sat and chatted through several different things about the legacy and you know he’s been an All Black which is fantastic, so he knows the culture and the expectation.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Crusaders went all in to buy Hotham and Kemara staight from Hamilton Boys. Then they picked up Reihana and Hohepa; all have been dropped for superstar Havili, who is a very good fullback, that’s it. Ennor and Goodhue were schoolboy stars too but went backwards at the Crusaders. Maybe they have finally decided to give another poach Levi Aumua the ball?
10 Go to commentsJoe S has some talent to pick from. The Reds loosies look the best in Super? Aus might just give Razor a headache this year. Int. experience v Cantab greenhorn:) Should be fun.
10 Go to commentsEnd to end play, “THE FANS” this game was entertainment of the best. The conditions added to the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsSorry to say, but sadly the sadas were just ordinary and havilli at 10 as an abs selection just won’t cut it. He’s better suited in the centre’s and is a victim of past charge down kicks, he’s too slow under pressure. There’s better talent further north and I don’t mean dmac however I believe razor will sort him out. A feature of his presents on the park is the fact that the guys will follow him.
10 Go to commentsMarler was brilliant throughout both in the scrum and open play. His slap made virtually no contact with Ramos who milked it for a penalty when he could have been a decent sportsman and laughed it off, it was non-violent and shouldn't have been penalised. Smith failed repeatedly to kick when necessary and put up a couple of bombs into the TLS 22 that just handed back possession at key moments to the other side.
3 Go to commentsCros was outstanding and rightly awarded France TVs player of the match award. Mallia was brilliant as usual (the y is below the 6 on a UK keyboard and he deserves better than that). Level also seems to have been scored harshly as he walked the ball into touch under pressure from a Lynagh kick from well outside his own half which should never have led to a 50-22. Agree with BullShark that Dupont, while class at times, seemed to go missing for patches in the second half with props, hookers and wings frequently filling in at 9 as he couldn't get off the deck and up to the next ruck on time. A 7 by his standards at best, his kicking was also too long, too often. Kinghorn's overall contribution was worth well more than a five.
3 Go to commentsThe Harlequins team must be in minus figures. Did the reporter actually watch the game?
3 Go to commentsHow on earth did Walker escape a red card? Not dangerous? Dupont has his face in a mask earlier this season. Shocking decision. What is the point of TMOs? We had the Fassi ‘non-penalty try’ yesterday and now this.
2 Go to commentsCould have been a different result but yet again French tv able to affect the result by not showing the very clear high shot on harlequin centre if this would have been on a French player would have been on screen at least five times
3 Go to commentsAmazing. The losing team’s ratings are higher than the winning team’s. Mallia definitely didn’t deserve a y. What game were you watching? Should have got a w or an x. ADP hardly featured in that second half. At one point I wondered when he’d been subbed. Seems to me as if he gets an automatic 9 just for getting onto the team sheet.
3 Go to commentsI’m sorry. That second half was far from enthralling. It was painful to watch.
2 Go to commentsVery generous! If you’d missed the game, reading this you’d conclude that it was the Quins front row that cost them the game. Marler getting a blanket 6 for his demented contribution to the game. Puzzling.
3 Go to commentsCan’t see Toulouse beating Leinster at this rate.
7 Go to commentsADP was having a very average game until winning that penalty for Toulouse, sticking his big head in the way. “The head of God”?
7 Go to commentsHarlequins doing their best to do as little damage as possible with all the possession. Looks like they skipped catch and pass drills this week.
7 Go to commentsSeeing pictures of Jacques high-fiving it with Irish players breaks my heart. Too soon. I need more time.
1 Go to commentsquins is all over the place. The minute they get the ball they panic. Quins can still win tho just need to win all rucks otherwise just don't bother.
7 Go to commentsGreat wins for the male & female kiwi sides. Ireland not far away..
1 Go to commentsWhy is this dude getting so much coverage? Usually knobs like this get cancelled.
2 Go to commentsWow. What was that? A 3 million word meandering article about what exactly?
2 Go to comments