When Norm was playing, I was a New Zealand rugby writer. You are correct, he wasn't a great All Black, though there was an obvious reason for that. However I had no doubt then and no doubt now, that had the game been professional then, he had every trait in his game to become a great All Black.
I am pleased to have heard this tribute thank you Michael. Even though you were feeling the grief & perhaps because of it you were able to portray 2 major things - that we can all change our lives if we take responsibility to & that New Zealanders can co-exist happily whatever our backgrounds & colour of our skins.
What a beautiful tribute, Michael, I must remember the window incident and Norm facing the press afterwards. Unlike today, Norm "owned" that incident, he made no excuses, he blamed no-one else, for that alone, he will always be a legend to me. I'm very sorry for your loss, Michael, as you say Motor Neuron Disease is a terrible way to leave this earth.
My best friend is a proud Maori guy. He is also the god-father to my first born son. My, hopefully, future son in law is also a Maori guy. A wonderful friendly and capable young man. Racial division is manufactured by self-serving politicians for the most part.
Just a slight correction. He didn’t play the NPC final with a broken arm, it was just about the entire game with a broken wrist. I remember when he played for Southland against Wellington a few years before where he had a huge cut across his upper thigh. Norm refused to be helped off the field. He shoved the poor medic assistant away and walked off under his own steam. He was a hard rugby player. Later on I saw the other side of Norm when he was speaking after a rugby supporters club function to a group of people including myself, how he was skipping the Wellington Union awards that night to go to another awards evening for young sports people. RIP Norm. Thoughts to your family at this time too.
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Thank you Michael, beautiful words. He is in a better place.
'Stormin Norman' RIP🙏
My condolences and thanks for sharing your heartfelt and inspiring tribute towards Norm and his family.
"Exceptionally well said"
When Norm was playing, I was a New Zealand rugby writer. You are correct, he wasn't a great All Black, though there was an obvious reason for that. However I had no doubt then and no doubt now, that had the game been professional then, he had every trait in his game to become a great All Black.
lovely tribute!! Kia ora Michael
I am pleased to have heard this tribute thank you Michael. Even though you were feeling the grief & perhaps because of it you were able to portray 2 major things - that we can all change our lives if we take responsibility to & that New Zealanders can co-exist happily whatever our backgrounds & colour of our skins.
Thanks for such a lovely fitting tribute. Such a sad loss. Well said much respect!!!
Beautiful tribute for your best friend... thankyou Michael.
What a beautiful tribute, Michael, I must remember the window incident and Norm facing the press afterwards.
Unlike today, Norm "owned" that incident, he made no excuses, he blamed no-one else,
for that alone, he will always be a legend to me.
I'm very sorry for your loss, Michael, as you say Motor Neuron Disease is a terrible way to leave this earth.
I think this tribute was amazing.....great legacy of your friend
Motor Neurone Disease is a brutally tortuous affliction.
Thank you for your articulate elucidation.
I sometimes don’t agree with your opinions, Michael, but that there was an intelligent and heartfelt tribute. Well done, and thank you.
So very well said Michael.
Was a great man and worked hard to help young people who were struggling. Will be missed hugely.
I have shed tears for Norm on three occasions since his passing even though we never met.
Great man, great moments, gone too soon.
My best friend is a proud Maori guy. He is also the god-father to my first born son. My, hopefully, future son in law is also a Maori guy. A wonderful friendly and capable young man. Racial division is manufactured by self-serving politicians for the most part.
A man died and you had to turn it into a political statement, get a life
A great tribute. Hard to believe Michael Laws criticised John Kirwan for his mental health advocacy.
Damn I haven’t seen Mr Laws in ages nice to see he’s still doing his thing ..
rest in peace Norm Hewitt
Well said
Just a slight correction. He didn’t play the NPC final with a broken arm, it was just about the entire game with a broken wrist. I remember when he played for Southland against Wellington a few years before where he had a huge cut across his upper thigh. Norm refused to be helped off the field. He shoved the poor medic assistant away and walked off under his own steam. He was a hard rugby player.
Later on I saw the other side of Norm when he was speaking after a rugby supporters club function to a group of people including myself, how he was skipping the Wellington Union awards that night to go to another awards evening for young sports people.
RIP Norm. Thoughts to your family at this time too.
A lovely ode to your great friend.
Well said Michael.
RIP
Norm Hewitt a great man
sorry for the loss of your friend mate...
Its the differences that make us human. Its always hard when we lose our best friends. RIP Norm
He. Could play. Rugby. He was good. Wasn’t great. Was he a bully. Yes. Least he owned up to that.
hard man of the game,tough as nails never be a nother ok.
Brett fairweather was nzs iwn ruchard simmons..ruo rich and norm.
Were you drunk when posting , it's almost totally bereft of sense