Ben Stokes says turning to the man who created the All Blacks’ ‘no d***heads’ policy was prompted by a desire to develop England’s own long-term winning culture.
Gilbert Enoka, whose most famous work as a mental skills coach came with New Zealand’s rugby union team during a period in which they won the 2011 and 2015 World Cups, is on a four-day consultancy with the England team in Manchester.
Last winter, while discussing the progress of the Test team in the first three years of their partnership, England captain Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum agreed that the next phase of Bazball was to redefine their values in a bid for sustained success.
It coincided with some loose public proclamations from England players, seized on by outsiders who questioned whether the relaxed nature of the squad — particularly a willingness to play and talk about golf — was conducive to success at elite level.
Wanting someone they could trust, McCullum backed fellow New Zealander Enoka, a man he has known for years, to articulate the enduring vision of the team.
‘We can say as much as we want, but we don’t have the knowledge or the experience in pushing teams on to the next level of where we want to go,’ said Stokes.
Ben Stokes welcomes the introduction of Gilbert Enoka to help evolve England’s Bazball brand
Enoka – who created the All Blacks ‘ ‘no d***heads’ policy – is in for a four-day consultancy at Old Trafford
Brendon McCullum backed fellow countryman Enoka, who he has known for years, to come in
‘Months ago, when we spoke, Gilbert asked what mine and Baz’s vision was for the team, how we wanted to take it forward. He went away, was able to put it into words and deliver it to the group in a very clear and simple way.
‘The culture around how we operate as a team on the field, off the field, the meaning of why we do everything. Baz and I are very big on the choices and options you take, that they should not just be involved around you, but around your team-mates.
‘It was nice to hear, that we share similar values (to the All Blacks). Culture, behaviours, training. Being as good as you possibly can be.’
Enoka chatted with the squad ahead of the Test win over Zimbabwe in May and marked his return by reporting that he had witnessed shifts in mindset.
