Old rugby friend and rival Tana Umaga remembers Norm Berryman as news breaks the one-test All Black has died from a heart attack.

Northland "folk hero" Norman Berryman was polarising in his rugby career, but afterwards happily made his way in Australia as a forklift driver in Perth.

The one-test All Black, Northland rugby stalwart and three-time Super 12 champion with the Crusaders died overnight Monday, aged 42.

Berryman moved to Australia about 11 years ago, first settling in Sydney for about three years, before heading to Western Australia. He is survived by six children: Terrell, Tatiana, Laytarjae, Shyah and twin daughters Cairo and Kaya.

1 of 9 PHOTOSPORT Northland rugby folk hero, champion Crusaders back and one-test All Black Norman Berryman has died, aged 42. 2 of 9 PHOTOSPORT Norman Berryman on the rampage for the New Zealand Maori against England in 1998. 3 of 9 MARK BAKER/REUTERS Former Crusaders cult hero Norman Berryman celebrates a win over the Waratahs with fans. 4 of 9 MARK ROUND/ FAIRFAX NZ Wellington forward Jerry Collins is tackled by Northland rival Norman Berryman during an NPC game. 5 of 9 SIMON BAKER/REUTERS Crusaders winger Norman Berryman on his way to scoring one of his two tries against the Sharks during a Super 12 semifinal at Lancaster Park. 6 of 9 Pro Sport Photos Norman Berryman poses for the camera ahead of the 2000 Super Rugby season. 7 of 9 PHOTOSPORT Norman Berryman in action for the New Zealand Maori against Tonga in 1998. 8 of 9 PETER MEECHAM/FAIRFAX NZ Crusaders cult hero Norm Berryman crosses the line against the Sharks in a Super Rugby semifinal match in 1998. 9 of 9 TANIA WEBB/ FAIRFAX NZ Canterbury's Ben Blair tries to bring down Northland's Norman Berryman during an NPC match.

READ MORE: Berryman death follows Collins tribute

WATCH: Emotional Akurangi tribute to Berryman

Berryman was a talented rugby player who was well-remembered by former All Blacks captain and newly appointed Blues coach Tana Umaga. The two were the same age.

youtube Norman Berryman is initiated into the Crusaders as player No 49.

"We were in the New Zealand A side that went across to Samoa in 1998," Umaga said.

"I remember when we played in a touch tournament in our last year of school in New Plymouth at Rugby Park and he was big then. I couldn't believe such a big man had such amazing footwork.

"Then we went up against each other in New Zealand Colts trials and with Northland. He always had a big smile. He loved life and loved his family. He's going to be a big loss.

PHOTOSPORT Norm Berryman runs the ball for New Zealand Maori in a 1998 match against Tonga.

"Our condolences go out to his family. Another life lost too early," Umaga said reflecting on the death of family member, fellow All Blacks star Jerry Collins.

Northland Rugby chief executive Jeremy Parkinson said Berryman epitomised everything which the union tried to provide and was a real character of the game, a "cult and folk hero".

"He showed you can grow up anywhere and make it into the All Blacks," Parkinson said.



"He was a little bit different, he never used to warm up with the team, he'd just stand around and have a chuckle and then roll out with the team.

MARK ROUND/ FAIRFAX NZ Norm Berryman (right) helps to tackle Jerry Collins in an NPC game in 2000 between Northland and Wellington.

"He was a shining light in that if you're talented and you persevere you can succeed. He was hugely popular up here."

He was not always popular elsewhere though, infamously quitting an All Blacks' training camp in Auckland and hitch-hiking back to Whangarei from Auckland.

John Hart, who was All Blacks coach at the time, and Berryman, did not see eye-to-eye and the strapping wing/centre said Hart "projected negativity".

"That's 100 per cent bang on. It was an interesting time ... but that wasn't even the fun bit. That was getting home and wearing it from my mother," he said in a later interview.

"Boy, if you'd had your recorder on then, bud, you would've made some money."

The laid-back Berryman caught a ride with a man, who had just broken up with his partner "and was in a bit of a bad way".

"He took me all the way from Auckland to Whangarei, so I didn't have to jump out and get another lift."

Berryman played his one test as a replacement against the Springboks in 1998. He won Super 12 titles with the Crusaders from 1998-2000.

In Perth, Berryman was originally involved with the Kalamunda club. He later coached at the Wanneroo Rugby Club, up until last season.

Berryman, as opposed to most high-profile rugby players, was a relatively late-starter in the sport.

The Wellington-born Berryman lived in Island Bay for seven years before moving to Whangarei.

"Wellington will always have a place in my heart, but I've a lot of time for the far north. They really look after you in Whangarei," he told The Press in 1998.

Berryman's father played rugby league in Wellington and the junior Berryman remembers tagging along with his father to training when he was only 3-years-old.

"'I was into heaps of sports before rugby. My first sport at primary school was soccer and I played league on Sunday," he said.

"I started in rugby when I went to Whangarei Intermediate. My mates were playing rugby so I decided to give it a go. I played rugby on Saturday and league on Sunday and the during the week I'd play basketball, cricket, or soccer."

The sports-loving and fun-seeking Berryman said he only took rugby seriously when it went professional. Until then, he even enjoyed trainings and the "'odd beer or two" which came at the end of them.

With professional rugby came the stricter training and personal disciplines. Berryman, not an avid trainer, accepted those responsibilities knowing rugby was his livelihood.

"In some ways I don't know whether we're better off or worse, but to get paid to play is pretty cool."

The All Blacks have expressed their condolences on Twitter.

"Thoughts are with Berryman whanau following passing of "Stormin" Norman," the All Blacks wrote.