Marty Berry was one of the last players to make the All Blacks while playing for a small provincial union, making the test side in 1986 while playing for Wairarapa-Bush.

Berry was already an accomplished first-class player with exactly 100 provincial matches under his belt when he played one season for the Hurricanes in 1996, having represented Wairarapa-Bush and Wellington in a colourful 11-season representative career in New Zealand.

Berry’s sole All Black Test cap was as a late substitute against Australia in 1986, and in that same year he reserved in four other Tests but didn’t take the field. He was again an All Black tourist in 1993 on the end of year tour to Scotland and England. Unfortunately the chance for a second test cap was taken from him when he broke his ankle against South of Scotland early on that tour.

Also a New Zealand Colt in 1985, Berry played for Wairarapa-Bush from 1985-1988, from 1991-1992 and in 1995, for Wellington in 1989, 1990, 1993 and 1994, and for Manawatu in 1996. In addition he played one representative game for South African side Transvaal in 1988. Consequently, Berry’s wide experience was a steadying influence in the Hurricanes backline in 1996, where he made seven appearances. He also had the distinction of being the first ever player sited for foul play in Super Rugby, in South Africa.

He moved to Italy and played two seasons for Petraca in the late 1990s, and also played a bit of rugby league in France at the end of his career.

Back home, he was involved in coaching at club level in Wellington for the Upper Hutt club and in the Wairarapa.