Former Munster flyhalf Bleyendaal joins the Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have bolstered their coaching line-up with former Crusader playmaker and Munster star, Tyler Bleyendaal. The 30-year-old has plenty of experience behind him, playing 21 games for the Crusaders, 32 for Canterbury and a further 62 for Munster - but says it’s time to return home for the next chapter.
“Becoming a part of a management team that wants to develop the talent in the Hurricanes squad and have them reach their potential as both men and rugby players is something I’m really looking forward to.”
“Being closer to our families is also an obvious benefit to moving home. We are excited for our kids to be able to connect with our families more often and it’s going to be a massive help for my wife and I as we get settled in after the big move."
Bleyendaal says coaching has always been an interest of his and a profession he wanted to pursue in his post-rugby life.
After hanging up the boots, he started reaching out to connections for advice.
“It was a good way for me to gather some knowledge and have discussions about rugby and coaching in a time when I couldn’t be on the field physically coaching.”
“A few months down the line Dutchy [Jason Holland] got in touch and asked about my situation, what my plan was going forward and if I would like to express my interest in the role at the Hurricanes - which I immediately said yes! His connection with Munster probably provided an opportunity for him to chat to his connections and get some honest feedback about me as a person and my coaching potential.”
Hurricanes head coach, Jason Holland, says it’s Bleyendaal’s wealth of rugby knowledge that will make him such a valuable asset to the team.
“He has experience running the game in Super Rugby as a player and has recently been entrenched in the Northern hemisphere rugby world both as a player and more recently in a coaching capacity. He has an astute rugby brain and will challenge our coaching team and the players to grow and innovate.”
Bleyendaal watched the 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoa competition from his home in Limerick and says he was inspired by the crowds and the energy the competition created.
“You watch the relentless week-on-week battles that were taking place. High-pressure games with small margins. It was a great competition for developing both the established players and young talent in New Zealand rugby.”
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Hi Nick. Thanks for your +++ ongoing analysis. Re Vunivalu, He’s been benched recently and it will be interesting to see what Kiss does with him as we enter the backend of SRP. I’m still not sold.
Go to commentsIn the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
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