LONDON – Former New Zealand rugby cult hero Norman Berryman has died of a heart attack in Perth, Australia overnight.
Hailing from Wellington on New Zealand’s North Island before moving with his family to Whangarei as a child, Berryman started his career with the Waikato Chiefs in 1996 before being recruited by the Auckland Blues in 1997. It was with the Canterbury Crusaders that Berryman gained ‘cult-hero’ status and was apart of the Canterbury Crusaders team that went on to win three consecutive Super 12 championships from 1998 to 2000.
Leaving New Zealand in 2000 to play with Castres Olympique followed by CS Bourgoin-Jaillieu, Berryman returned to New Zealand in 2003 where he was selected in the New Zealand Maori side.
A talent on the field, Berryman was known for his laid-back attitude off it. Hitting the peak of his rugby powers around the time of Jonah Lomu, Berryman played his one and only test for the All Blacks against South African in 1998.
During his somewhat tumultuous time with the All Blacks, Berryman infamously quit an All Blacks training squad in Auckland before hitch-hiking back to Whangarei. Following the incident, Berryman accused then coach John Hart of “projecting negativity”.
Above all else, Berryman will be remembered for his brute strength, his footwork and his smile. He is survived by his wife and six young children.