Maxwell watches ABs from afar

The Rugby World Cup has most Kiwis enraptured in New Zealand and around the globe. Former Northland All Black Norm Maxwell is keeping tabs on the action from his base in Vigo in the northwest of Spain, where he has just begun his second season coaching the premier side of the one and only rugby club in the city of 400,000.

Originally heading over to Vigo from his previous base in Christchurch, to play and coach with a Spanish mate, Maxwell decided against the playing component, and swapped his boots for the coaching hat. The 35-year-old from Rawene, whose All Black career lasted from 1999-2004, said he was initially reluctant to get involved in rugby circles again after years of playing the code at the top level.

"But I was drawn to come over to Spain ... they play rugby here because they love it, it's real grassroots rugby. The players pay to play here and some guys travel 200km to come to training. They are really dedicated to playing," Maxwell said.

Vigo were a second division side when Maxwell took over , and after just one season at the helm, he saw his new charges promoted into the premier division. The team contains the allowed three foreign players, all Kiwis, including Northland's Roy Griffin, who joined the club this season and fit into the team culture well, Maxwell said.

Starting out as a coach was challenging, and coaching in a foreign-speaking country had its own difficulties, including communication and getting the message across clearly to players, with limited Spanish.

"Sometimes it can get quite frustrating as players over here lack the basics ...

"Sometimes we take the basics for granted ... when you look at the big picture, you see what is missing. Figuring out how I could help the team was a big part and getting the basics and structures right were very important," Maxwell said.

After playing and now coaching overseas, Maxwell said he has realised how natural New Zealanders were at playing rugby.

"New Zealanders are born with a rugby ball in their hand. The boys here are talented but they need to concentrate on the basics. Where as in New Zealand we all played rugby and touch at lunchtime at school and that's where we gain those basic skills. Here they've usually played soccer all their lives."

Watching the first two All Blacks matches in the Rugby World Cup at his neighbour's house, Maxwell was impressed with the skill of the New Zealand side.

Maxwell believes Australia will be the All Blacks' biggest threat in the World Cup, coming back stronger after their shock loss to the Irish.

However, his bet is that the All Blacks will win, if the New Zealand public can get behind their national team.

"People need to realise the public play a role as well. We have the most gifted team and it's up to us to all work together and not fight against ourselves."