Rugby: Tributes flow for Norm Berryman

Norm Berryman after his farewell game for the province in September 2000. That is David Holwell, we suspect, getting the Berryman bear hug.PHOTOS/NORTHERN ADVOCATE

Barnstorming former Northland and All Black centre Norm Berryman always had a funny side to him no matter how bad a situation he was in, his former teammates said.

Hayden Taylor, who played for the Taniwha alongside Berryman, was informed of Stormin' Norman's death by a friend yesterday morning and said he did not believe it at first.

"He was definitely a player you wanted to be in your team and was probably the most skilful player I played with," Taylor said.

"Norm was always laughing both in the best and worst times. He was a bloody character and should have been an All Black longer than he was."

He said at 42, Berryman was in good nick and had not changed in the last 20 years.

Another former Taniwha captain, Glenn Taylor, who also played with Berryman at the Chiefs in 1996, said he was a phenomenal talent.

"Always a fun guy to have in the team environment, had a good sense of humour, a very talented player who was deceptive on his feet," he said.

"Didn't expect that from a 42-year-old. Still coming to terms with his loss."

Former All Black coach John Hart - who selected Berryman for his only All Blacks game against the Springboks in 1998, also paid tribute.

Hart was stunned when the Northern Advocate relayed news of Berryman's death.

"He was a brilliant character. He created a situation from where he viewed he'd get an opportunity (to play for the All Blacks) but maybe he didn't always take it," he said.

Berryman publicly criticised Hart who dropped him from the squad in 1998.

He said Hart had "a vibe which projected negativity" before voluntarily walking out of the All Black camp and hitch-hiking home to Whangarei.

Berryman played club rugby for Hora Hora in Whangarei and president Les Ritete said the former star's death was a huge loss for the region in general.

Norm Berryman early on in his career for Northland.

"A genuinely nice guy, always jovial and had a big smile. You always have fun when you're involved with him."

Mr Ritete said Berryman joined Hora Hora in the mid-90s and helped win a few championships.

"He helped players like Glenn Taylor and Norm Maxwell, who later went on to become an All Black. Norm (Berryman) was a talented sportsman all round. He was also good in basketball and played softball as well."

Former All Black and "Kamo Kid" Ian Jones recalled playing alongside Berryman for North Auckland in the early 90s.

"He played the game as I'd never seen it being played before. He was great and I enjoyed his company immensely," said the former All Black lock.

Former Northern Advocate sports editor Tim Eves covered Berryman's career.

"On the field he was a talent that could prompt a torrent of words to spill on to the page. Reporting his feats was a dream and a privilege." And there was Norm's cheeky side.

"From posing for a photo supposedly signing a contract with Northland, only to discover later he was holding the pen upside down, to leaving an intrepid reporter standing at his doorway for an hour the day he was selected for the All Blacks ... just for fun."

Berryman played for the Northland team from 1991-2000, then left for France, where he plied his trade in 2001 and 2002.

After the French connection, he returned to play for the Taniwha for the final time in 2003.