Berryman first played first class rugby as an 18-year-old for Northland in the National Provincial Championship (NPC), in 1991. The next year he played in the New Zealand (All Black) trial, but wasn't picked for the national team. He continued to play for Northland, and in 1996 joined the Chiefs for the new Super 12. Berryman was drafted into the Blues in 1997, and eventually into the Crusaders in 1998. With the Crusaders he won three Super 12 championships (1998, 1999, and 2000).