Dejected All Blacks were reported on Saturday to be undergoing grief counselling to help them come to grips with their shock loss in the rugby World Cup quarterfinals.
New Zealand Rugby Union chairperson Jock Hobbs said it was imperative steps were taken to ensure the players were able to move on mentally as soon as possible, the Yahoo!Xtra website reported.
The All Blacks ”mental skills coach,” sports psychologist Gilbert Enoka, has been in contact with the squad members after the 18-20 loss to France which resulted in New Zealand’s worst World Cup finish.
”Yes. We are making sure no-one is isolated or left alone,” Hobbs said from Paris ahead of the World Cup final between South Africa and England.
”I know that Gilbert Enoka has been in contact with them all, providing them with advice on how best to get through this difficult period.”
Hobbs described the loss to France, who in turn were beaten by England in the semi-finals, as ”very, very gut-wrenching” but he acknowledged the squad’s domination of the sport outside the World Cup.
”Yeah, it is a Rugby World Cup tournament, it is a tournament we desperately do want to win. But it is a one-off tournament and the team has been hugely successful outside of it.” – Sapa-AFP