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'I’ll definitely be hands on': What Dr. Gill brings to the NFL's Baltimore Ravens
Sport Nation • March 3rd, 2026 5:09 pm
Dr. Nic Gill ready for his next challenge | Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport
After 21 years of service to New Zealand rugby, long-time Head of Performance Dr. Nic Gill is heading north to the NFL where he has taken on the role of Vice President of Health and Performance for the Baltimore Ravens.
Speaking to Mark Stafford on Sport Nation Afternoons, Gill might be entering a new role, but his way of thinking is staying the same.
“They think I’m going to be sitting behind a laptop,” Gill said. “But I told them in the interview that’s not me.”
“I’ll be in the gym, I’ll be in the medical room, I’ll be on the field.
“I’ll definitely be hands on.
“That’s what I love doing, I love being with the athletes and making friendships and helping people be awesome.
“This job with the All Blacks is exactly what my job with the Ravens is going to be.
“It’s not just a matter of pushing as hard as you can in the gym and being as fit as you can, but it’s actually being able to practice everyday and play every week to the highest of your ability year upon year.
“The longevity of the athlete is key and having your players healthy is probably more important than it used to be.”
Something the Ravens haven’t lacked is talent, similar to the All Blacks, but what’s kept the team from adding to their two Super Bowl wins has been injuries. Something Gill will be hoping to impact.
“The most important thing is having your best players available 24/7,” Dr. Gill said.
“It’s all encompassing now. Sleep, recovery, massage. Everything needs to be dialed in and integrating all those pieces of the puzzle is what I’ve been doing, and what I’ll be doing at the Ravens.
“They’ve never done that before. That’s my challenge and I can’t wait.”
Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson calls M&T Bank Stadium home | Photo: Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire
Looking at the state of play closer to home, players having their minutes managed during the Super Rugby season is always on the lips of the fans.
But with player welfare at the forefront of Gill’s mind, he understands just how essential it is.
“We all want the players playing their best footy for their club and country,” Gill said.
“People don’t understand, playing rugby from February through to November is impossible. Physically and mentally.
“The long season a rugby player has in New Zealand is not great for the athletes’ longevity or performance.
“It’s a balancing act. We feel like we’ve got a bit of a sweet spot where if you give the odd All Black a week off within a Super Rugby season it’s a great thing for their entire year. Not just for them but for their club and for their country.”
When brainstorming how the Rugby season could be improved, Staffy suggested a FIFO like strategy that breaks up the season, much to Gill’s delight.
“I love what you just suggested,” the doctor said.
“When the All Blacks are playing and we have a bye week, the week off is just so crucial and they don’t need much more than that and they’re ready to go again.”
“One week does a lot for a player’s mental and physical freshness.
“This is what I love. You could throw any calendar at me and we’d be able to figure out how to make it amazing for the athlete. It just needs a bit of common sense and a bit of logic and then you rip and tear.”
“The player just wants to play for the people they love.”
With the reality of moving to the other side of the world, Gill has a lot to do before he departs for the NFL.
“The Ravens have been amazing, they’ve understood there’s a fair bit for me to do back home before I can get up there.
"At the moment I’ll be transitioning out of the All Blacks and hopefully helping in the succession of my role with the new coach. I want to make sure the All Blacks are left in a great place.
“I’ll be heading to Baltimore in April when their off season starts, then heading back in May, have a bit more time in New Zealand before heading back permanently in June.
“It’s a bit of a slow intro which is going to be nice.”
Gill departs the All Blacks after over 240 Test matches, with 200 of those wins, bringing a winning culture to his new organisation.
Listen to the full interview below:
