Former All Blacks mental skills coach is NSW Blues secret weapon for Origin

The man credited with turning the All Blacks from World Cup chokers into a global rugby powerhouse has emerged as Michael Maguire’s secret weapon with the NSW Blues.

Gilbert Enoka, who was the leadership management and mental skills coach for New Zealand’s famous rugby side for more than 20 years during a remarkable period of dominance, has joined Maguire’s team in the hope of bringing down Queensland in this year’s State of Origin series.

Enoka was spotted at the Blues camp in the Blue Mountains this week in a NSW tracksuit and deep in conversation with another Maguire confidante, leadership coach Peter Cox, who worked with Maguire when he won the 2014 NRL title with South Sydney.

Enoka is a former New Zealand volleyball representative and has worked with national sports sides since the mid-1990s, including the Silver Ferns netball team and the Black Caps cricket team, on top of more than 300 tests with the All Blacks.

Last year, English Premier League giants Chelsea brought him in as a consultant.

State of Origin kicks off at 10.05pm tomorrow night between the New South Wales Blues vs the Queensland Maroons.

Source: Stuff.co