Richard Loe: Laid-back Norm is as committed as they come

I will be surprised if Norm Maxwell doesn't put his hand up to play against the Lions. I know Norm reasonably well. The man is a 100 per cent enthusiast and a very different kind of rugby player.

Most players in this dilemma - injuries, a career coming to an end and the prospect of an overseas posting with good money and less damaging rugby - wouldn't say anything until they'd made a decision. But, like I say, Norm's different. He is just being up front and open. He's looking at the prospect of a Lions series, the pressure on his body and the real chance that he might end up so injured and so knackered after the series that he can't take up an overseas offer.

He answered the call from the All Black selectors for the end-of-season tour to Europe last year, even though he'd basically set a course for Italy after a year off rugby to nurse his injuries and to experience things other than rugby.

He's been playing Super 12 rugby for nine years now - that's a lot.

When you meet Norm, you might think he's a bit laid-back but he was one of the first New Zealand players to throw himself into professional rugby - literally. I can remember when he first came to the Crusaders when Vance Stewart got him down from Northland. He was a real enthusiast. You could see that in his play in the early days. He'd smash into rucks, smash into guys and make big tackles.

That's what has done the damage to his body - and I have noticed how much smarter he has been playing since he got back into the All Blacks. He's still doing the business at ruck and maul but is not going for the big smashes like he used to.

There's been a hint in the publicity about Norm deciding whether to play against the Lions that he might be wondering whether he can cope with the demands of a top-class international series against the heavy Lions artillery.

But I can tell you, Norm Maxwell believes in his own ability. I can also tell you that he is certainly capable of footing it with Sir Clive's touring party.

I think he is just sorting out whether the body can cope and when Graham Henry and Steve Hansen - with whom he is quite close - talk to him, I am sure he will put his hand up. They managed him well at the end of last year and made sure he didn't take too much on and I think that's what they'll do again.

I hope so. We need Norm's experience. He is one of the few senior players we have. Ali Williams will come back into the All Black picture, I have no doubt about that.

But he will need to be playing out of his skin straight away to get anywhere near keeping Norm out of the team.

There's also been talk about James Ryan of the Highlanders and the young Canterbury lock Kevin O'Neill and Wellington's Ross Kennedy. But I think the selection panel are right - they're not ready yet.

So I think Norm will be there, barring injury, and you have to admire the guy - not just for the way he has helped the All Blacks but also for the up-front way he has discussed how he is thinking about his future and the decision he has to make.


- HERALD ON SUNDAY