Former All Black Norm Berryman dies age 42

Norm Berryman. Photo / APN

Norman Rangi Berryman
• Born: 15 April 1973, Wellington
• Played one test for the All Blacks in 1998
• Beloved cult hero who was surprisingly agile despite his size
• Played for Northland from 1991 - 2000 and again in 2003
• Represented Crusaders, Chiefs and Blues in Super Rugby
• Later played in France before settling in Perth and working as a forklift driver
• Father of six. Twin daughters Cairo and Kaya, Terrell, Tatiana, Laytarjae and Shyah
• Famously quit an All Blacks camp and hitchhiked home after saying then coach John Hart "projected negativity"

The All Blacks have lost another one of their number, just weeks after the passing of Jerry Collins.

"Stormin" Norman Berryman died of a heart attack in Australia overnight.

He was 42. Berryman played one test for the All Blacks, against South Africa in 1998. Berryman had been recently living in Perth working as a forklift driver. He is survived by six children.

Northland Rugby CEO Jeremy Parkinson told Radio Sport that Berryman was in Europe last week and played in a commemorative match for Collins. He has lived in Perth for the last decade.

Parkinson told said Berryman was a 'cult and folk hero'.

"He epitomised everything New Zealand Rugby are trying to provide a career path via rugby - any kid can grow up anywhere in the country, play for their province, make a Super Rugby team and get in the All Blacks and that's what Norm did."

"He was a shining light and a good example that if you're talented and you persevere you can succeed and he did that. He was a huge role model up here. He always had a smile on his face and high-fived kids after the games - he was the last to come off the field after signing autographs so he was a great representative."

SEND US YOUR MESSAGES AND TRIBUTES

"He was a bit of a cult and folk hero up here."

"We are just trying to contact the family and see what we can do. I would imagine that he would be coming back to the North for the tangi and in typical Norm fashion he'd want us to celebrate his life and have a bit of fun, a bit of a laugh and talk about the good memories, which there were plenty of them."

Herald Vault - Sept 2013: Q&A: Norm Berryman

Berryman won three Super Rugby titles with the Crusaders in 1998, 1999, and 2000 and played 75 matches for Northland from 1991 to 2000. He also played for the New Zealand Maori.

Berryman's only test came off the bench in a 24-23 defeat to the Springboks in Durban. Berryman replaced Eroni Clarke at centre in the match.

Norm Berryman with nephew Tiaari Berryman-Wihongi in 2003.

Former Crusaders teammate and current Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said Berryman was a special man that that 'he was everything that was special about New Zealand rugby'.

"I played a lot of rugby with him, he was one of those instinctive, gifted players. He was a bit un-coachable, a bit like Nemani [Nadolo] is with us," Blackdder said.

"I remember his huge infectious smile and one game we had at Lancaster Park, I think it was a tight game against the Sharks, when he scored two tries off the cuff and all you saw were the whites of his teeth as he interacted with the crowd. They loved him. He was a special man.

"He was unorthodox but with a really infectious personality. When we were in Perth a few years ago we took his Crusaders plaque over and he came and talked to the team about his time with us. It was great to catch up with him. He was everything that was special about New Zealand rugby. He was such a young instinctive player for us with the Crusaders.

"He made lots of people want to watch rugby. Off the field he never seemed to have a care ion the world. He was always laughing and joking."

Blues first five-eighths Daniel Bowden tweeted that the Northland legend had passed away.

Sad to hear Stormin' Norm Berryman @RugbyNorthland legend has passed way

— Dan Bowden (@danbowden_) June 22, 2015

Norm Berryman? Can't be true! 🙏🏾

— Ben Atiga (@atiga1037) June 22, 2015

If it's true about Normy B then it's another sad day! Heart goes out to his whanau! #gonetosoon

— Tana Umaga Co-Founder of Viktual+ (@tanaumaga) June 22, 2015