Editorial: Norm will be missed

Norm Berryman and nephew Tiaari Berryman-Wihong in an advertising image. Photo: Michael Cunningham

Sadly, on a day when we celebrated a new Northland All Black, we lost one.

And he was one out of the box - Norman Rangi Berryman played for Hora Hora, Marist and Northland. He started out as a winger, and at 105 to 108kg, a daunting prospect at centre in the latter part of his career. His career also took in the Blues, but longer term the Crusaders, where he found the freedom to express himself on the field, and just enough structure off field to still be able to call himself a professional rugby player.

Norm was a naturally talented rugby player, he did stuff you can't coach.

And when John Hart's corporate-like structure for professional rugby encouraged discipline, and structure, it looked like Norm wasn't going to be an All Black.

But backed by the power of public sentiment, Hart had no excuse but to pick Norm after he played so well he couldn't be ignored.

The pair weren't destined to spend much time in each other's company though - Norm quit the All Black camp, and hitchhiked home from Auckland.

The reaction from Hart was nothing compared to the reaction from his mother, Norm reckoned.

There will have been a few toasts around Northland last night, a few fires stoked in his memory.

He was also a unique individual, with a cheeky sense of humour, and a grin as wide as his talent spectrum - even when Northland lost.

And arguably the most likeable rugby player New Zealand has seen.