New Zealand
Former All Black Norm Berryman dies
ESPN Staff
June 22, 2015
Crusaders wing and Man of the Match Norm Berryman is tackled by the Blues defence © Getty Images
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Former Northland and All Blacks back Norm Berryman has died at the age of 42. Northland Rugby chief executive Jeremy Parkinson confirmed Berryman had died from a heart attack in Australia where he has been based for several years.

A father of six, he had recently worked as a forklift driver in Perth, where he had also played club rugby. A popular player in the 1990s, Berryman shone with a flamboyant attacking style and laid-back approach off the field. A decade-long career for Northland included three seasons with the Crusaders, where he won three Super Rugby titles. He had also represented the Chiefs and Blues.

Berryman's sole Test appearance was off the reserves bench when he replaced Eroni Clarke in a 24-23 loss to South Africa in 1998.

"He was always a character, he always had a smile on his face, he played the game for all the right reasons and in the spirit of it," Parkinson told RadioSport. "Any kid can grow up anywhere in the country and become an All Black, and that's what Norm did."

Berryman's death follows that of another recent former All Black Jerry Collins, who died in a car accident in France last month.

© AAP

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