Rugby: Motivational expert adds new touch to All Blacks

WYNNE GRAY looks at the role of the All Blacks' performance enhancement consultant

Let's be honest, most people think that sort of tuition is for the weak and needy or, worse still, those who are a sheep short in the top paddock.

An image of the shrink with the green eyeshade and probing torch trying to find out why some patient on his couch is suffering demons seems to sit with Hollywood rather than the All Black environment.

That is where it should stay, says All Blacks assistant manager Gilbert Enoka, who is also used as the side's performance enhancement consultant through his training as a sports psychologist.

"There is a veil of ignorance over what a sports psychologist does," he said on the eve of the All Blacks second test with Scotland.

Exploring players' minds under hypnosis and those notions were best left to the silver screen. Hyping and motivation were not part of his brief because the players did that themselves.

Shrink and motivator were descriptions which did not fit his role.

"These All Blacks are supremely conditioned athletes in control of where they are going. What I need to be able to do is assist them with mental management," he said. "Trainers work on physical fitness, physios on injury rehabilitation and I work on managing shifts in pressure which come with this environment."

A former national volleyball player, Enoka taught physical education at Hillmorton High School in Christchurch where he worked with NZ netballer Leigh Gibbs. She introduced Enoka to Wayne Smith and the sports psych work started to evolve. Enoka had to get some qualification and gained his Masters. His PhD is in limbo because of his work with the All Blacks, Crusaders (for the last four years), Black Caps, Silver Ferns, golfers and other students.

As assistant to All Blacks manager Andrew Martin, the 41-year-old Enoka works at team administration, organisation, values and vision and then specialises in individual and team mental management.

"This is an extension of me as a player where I toured and was passionate and driven. I felt you had to give it everything and that same sort of philosophy remains within me," Enoka says.

His job could be as simple as being available. If someone calls, Enoka is ready. Sometimes there is a lull, there is no pattern. It was early days for the All Blacks because they were not yet under the pressure of the Tri-Nations series or a tour of France. Then players would have to face issues like securing their position, maintaining form or perhaps dealing with injury "which all get to the centre of a person's function."

But most of the base work should already have been done. Enoka uses the example of the Crusaders' trip to Canberra for their third Super 12 title.

Rather than make the day something out of the ordinary, the Crusaders had to accept it was another day at the office.

"We wanted them to be in control as they were playing the 20th best side in the world or the first," said Enoka. "When you treat it as something special and start doing things differently then a team can be broken."

It was all about eliminating anxiety, reducing times when players could choke or freeze. "Someone once said about choking, 'never fear sudden bouts of fear because every athlete will get them.' We have to give them tools and techniques to find their way through it."

If you want composure, the public must believe All Black captain Todd Blackadder is as poised as anyone at the top level of the sport. He has a searing commitment to the team cause, the energy is on total efficiency rather than individual glory. He exudes modesty and humility. Enoka accepts Blackadder may be the best model of his philosophy for the public to relate to.

"He is so much in control of himself, he is a great example. He has grown and matured in recent years and the way he conducts himself inside and outside the team, he is the epitome of everything we want."

Enoka said his job title still provoked quizzical looks, the majority of those who had no contact with sports psychology were still wary. But Smith has used him consistently and his teams have succeeded.

"Gilbert has a special affinity with young athletes and he has a way of helping them to go collectively towards something greater than themselves," said Smith.

"Anyone who pulls on the black jersey wants to be the best they can and wants to uphold the heritage and traditions of the All Blacks and if he can help them do that, everyone will get something out of it."