Former All White Ceri Evans has ended his long-standing role with the All Blacks, in which he’s been credited with helping build their mental performance under pressure.
New Zealand Rugby say Dr Evans (62) has “stepped away from his role” after contributing to the All Blacks’ management group across multiple campaigns. His involvement dated back to 2006, when he initially worked under former head coach Graham Henry.
Evans, who won 56 caps as a central defender with the All Whites, was a Rhodes Scholar who has built an international career as a psychiatrist and developed a specialist interest in high performance and mental skills.
Main photo: Ceri Evans … NZ Footballer of the Year in 1987.
New Zealand Rugby credited Evans with playing a significant role in the All Blacks’ preparation and culture during one of their most successful eras. That period included Rugby World Cup victories in 2011 and 2015, when he worked alongside coaching groups led by Henry and later Steve Hansen.
“His breadth of experience and expertise in the field of high-pressure performance is world-class, and the legacy he leaves is significant,” recently-appointed All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said.
NZ Rugby interim chief executive Steve Lancaster thanked Evans for “all the wisdom and insight he has shared”.
“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,” Lancaster said.
In a statement released by NZ Rugby, Evans said he was “grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a special team environment” and acknowledged the players and staff he had worked with over nearly two decades.
Evans was the NZ Footballer of the Year in 1987, when playing for Christchurch United.
His other clubs included Nelson United, Wellington Diamond United, Dunedin City and Otago University.
Gilbert Enoka.
He combined his studies at Oxford University with playing more than 100 games for English professional club Oxford United.
Dr Evans is one of a number of New Zealand mental skills coaches who have consulted to English Premier League clubs, and he helped Arsenal during their 2016 season.
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Evans’ place in the All Blacks’ management team will be taken by Gilbert Enoka, who pioneered the ‘no dickheads’ policy while previously working with the national rugby team.
Enoka has consulted to English Premier League club Chelsea.
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This story was first published on April 22, 2026.