Minute's silence will honour Berryman

Many regional rugby teams will commemorate a legend of Northland rugby today, the great Norman Rangi Berryman.

Jeremy Parkinson, chief executive of the Northland Rugby Union, has confirmed that all clubs from the under-14s level upwards, controlled by Northland referees, will observe a minute's silence before kick-off.

Black armbands will be sported by the players of some clubs but the measure will not be enforced by the union, Parkinson said.

Hora Hora and Old Boys' players confirmed they would wear black armbands in tribute to their former teammate.

Hora Hora club president Les Ritete said a tribute game would be played against Kamo in two weeks, as their last game of the season, in dedication to Norm. "That's the respect we have for him," Ritete said.

Memories of the great Taniwha player are still fresh in the minds of many, and a tribute night was held on Thursday for people to celebrate Stormin' Norman's life. Ritete said it was a great turnout, with about 40 people arriving to pay their respects.

"We were just really talking about the man.

"It was good to have the calibre of people who came," he said of the event.