Rugby: Berryman has new challenge

By WYNNE GRAY

Flamboyant Northland wing Norm Berryman will be missing from his side's final Ranfurly Shield challenge of the season.

Berryman has apparently flown to France and a new contract with the Castres Oympiques club, eliminating him from the Friday night challenge against Canterbury and the chance of a final-four NPC finish.

"We just have to move on from here," coach Bryce Woodward said in confirming Berryman's departure. "I think Norm came under huge pressure from France."

While Berryman is out of Northland's second shield challenge this season, they will have both front row prop Mike Storey and No 8 Samiu Vahafolau available again after suspension.

After considerable talk and optimism about Northland's first shield shot foundered against Waikato, coach Woodward has asked for a media ban this time to reduce the distractions on the team. Northland were crushed 52-14 in the August challenge.

He does not want a repeat of the extra pressure, especially after Northland played so well against Counties Manukau for their 46-17 victory last Friday.

"We got caught up in all the hype of the last challenge and the guys believed they just had to turn up for things to happen," said Woodward.

"We are not going to talk log o' wood this week. We have to concentrate on what we need to do to get a good result.

"I think last time we played Waikato we had not had any games of high intensity up to that point."

Canterbury were a superb side and showed that in coming back from such a large deficit to beat Otago in their most recent defence.

"I don't know that they are as good as Auckland were in the early 90s, but they have the ability to win and the desire to win all the time," said Woodward.

Northland are equal fourth with Waikato on the NPC table. Canterbury and Auckland are guaranteed home semifinal matches.