Life changed for former All Black prop Steve McDowell when he became the Romanian scrum coach nearly four years ago.
McDowell (50) is one of more than 50 New Zealanders involved in coaching or management positions with other countries at the Rugby World Cup.
"Four years ago it was the last thing on my mind," he said. "It was one of those dreams come true to come back as a coach for the World Cup in New Zealand."
McDowell played 81 representative games, including 46 tests, from 1985 until 1992 and was a member of the All Black team that won the World Cup in 1987.
He has been the Romanian scrum coach for the past three years and has been based in Bucharest with his family - wife Michelle and children Tyla (13), Spencer (11), Morgan (9) and Casey (6).
"I can speak a little Romanian, but my kids are better. Casey speaks fluent Romanian.
"It's a different culture, so you learn a lot of new things. You also learn a lot about yourself when you stay that long in a different country. It's been a great experience for me."
The Romanian scrum has improved a lot since McDowell has been involved.
"Individually they are not bad but collectively they have been all over the place," he said.
McDowell said the standard of club rugby in Romania was the equivalent of premier B rugby in Auckland.
"It's amazing how far they can lift themselves for international games," McDowell said.
"But they need a lot more competitive rugby, especially at the top level."