![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Gilbert-Enoka.png\")
Gilbert Enoka.<\/p>\nFormer All White Ceri Evans has ended his long-standing role with the All Blacks, in which he\u2019s been credited with helping build their mental performance under pressure.<\/p>\n
New Zealand Rugby say Dr Evans (62) has \u201cstepped away from his role\u201d after contributing to the All Blacks\u2019 management group across multiple campaigns. His involvement dated back to 2006, when he initially worked under former head coach Graham Henry.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Main photo: Ceri Evans \u2026 NZ Footballer of the Year in 1987.<\/p>\n
New Zealand Rugby credited Evans with playing a significant role in the All Blacks\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis breadth of experience and expertise in the field of high-pressure performance is world-class, and the legacy he leaves is significant,\u201d recently-appointed All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said.<\/p>\n
NZ Rugby interim chief executive Steve Lancaster thanked Evans for \u201call the wisdom and insight he has shared\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis 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\u2019ve been fortunate to tap into that knowledge to help the All Blacks perform under pressure,\u201d Lancaster said.<\/p>\n
In a statement released by NZ Rugby, Evans said he was \u201cgrateful for the opportunity to contribute to such a special team environment\u201d and acknowledged the players and staff he had worked with over nearly two decades.<\/p>\n
Evans was the NZ Footballer of the Year in 1987, when playing for Christchurch United.<\/p>\n
His other clubs included Nelson United, Wellington Diamond United, Dunedin City and Otago University.<\/p>\n
Gilbert Enoka.<\/p>\n
He combined his studies at Oxford University with playing more than 100 games for English professional club Oxford United.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: From Eden Park to the EPL: How All Black culture is shaping English football<\/a> >>>><\/p>\n Evans\u2019 place in the All Blacks\u2019 management team will be taken by Gilbert Enoka, who pioneered the \u2018no dickheads\u2019 policy while previously working with the national rugby team.<\/p>\n Enoka has consulted to English Premier League club Chelsea.<\/p>\n