Darryl Sabin's remarkable Rugby World Cup story

At least one Northlander swigged beer from the Rugby World Cup on Sunday night.

All Blacks superfan Darryl Sabin from Coopers Beach joined the New Zealand team after their 8-7 victory over France and partied the night away with the players until 5.30am on Monday.

Taking a drink from the World Cup completed a rare rugby treble - last year Darryl got to drink from both the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri-Nations Trophy.

Darryl, 21, has been a protege of Graham Henry since the two met in 2009, when the All Black coach visited a hospital where Darryl was being treated for a severe head injury after a rugby accident.

Henry has since encouraged Darryl's involvement with the All Blacks, and the young man has become a team favourite because of the determined way he has tackled his recovery from his crushed brain stem injury.

Darryl's father Mike Sabin said yesterday the injury had left his son with a weak right leg and arm, similar to the effects of a stroke.

That has not stopped him playing a pivotal role with the All Blacks - and it's fortunate the French did not have New Zealand breaking out the black armbands on Sunday because lucky charm Darryl wasn't on the non-playing reserves bench.

Richie & Co have never lost a game with Darryl on the sideline. But despite All Blacks management requesting his presence, the IRB refused permission for Darryl to sit with the reserves for the RWC final.

"They said he gave the All Blacks an unfair advantage," joked Mike Sabin.

Instead, Darryl had to make his lucky talisman magic work long-distance from the All Blacks' hotel.

Mr Sabin said he had a quiet word with Richie McCaw, thanking him for taking his son "into the fold".

"He said that that Darryl was 'sort of part of the club now' and 'long may it continue'," Mr Sabin said. "When you're a father, it's pinch yourself stuff."