Former All Black and Northland rugby icon Norm Berryman will be buried in Perth after dying of a suspected heart attack earlier this week.
Family of the 42-year-old father of six have posted a message on the 'Tribute to Norman Rangi Berryman' Facebook page saying Berryman will be laid to rest in Perth, where he had lived since 2006.
Norman "Norm" Berryman - pictured in 2003 Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The message said: "We would like to thank everyone for all the heartfelt messages that we have received. The messages are supporting us in more ways then you will ever realise.
"We are aware that people are very anxious to find out where our father's final resting place will be. Our family can confirm... our father Norman Rangi Berryman will have his funeral in Perth. He will also be laid to rest in Perth, so he can be close to his family."
A popular player in the 1990s, Berryman shone with a flamboyant attacking style and laid-back approach off the field.
A decade-long career included three seasons with the Crusaders, with whom he won three Super Rugby titles and played 30 times for, as well as also representing the Chiefs and the Blues.
He played 75 times for Northland.
Berryman's sole Test appearance was off the reserves bench 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," Northland Rugby chief executive Jeremy Parkinson said.
"Any kid can grow up anywhere in the country and become an All Black, and that's what Norm did."
Berryman also played for New Zealand Maori.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder has also paid tribute to his former teammate.
Blackadder said Berryman was a big loss to the rugby community.
"He was great within the team. I mean he was a great contributor, didn't really say a lot but he brought that fun and x-factor to it," he said.
"When I think of him playing, he was always the game changer, he was always that guy that did something special in the moment."
