Ex ‘Baby Blacks’ skipper Bleyendaal joins Munster

Munster put some gloss on a losing weekend yesterday when the province announced the capture of former New Zealand Junior World Cup-winning captain Tyler Bleyendaal on a three-year contract.

The 23-year-old Canterbury and Crusaders back can play fly-half or inside centre, playing 19 times for the latter in the Super XV. He led the U20s All Blacks to victory at the 2010 Junior World Championships in Argentina and made 19 Super Rugby appearances for the Crusaders, scoring two tries and scoring 119 points as back-up to Colin Slade.

“I am really excited to be heading to a new challenge of playing in a great competition in a new part of the world, for a world-renowned team,” Bleyendaal said. “The decision was not an easy one as my time with Canterbury and the Crusaders has been amazing, being involved with quality people every day has made the place special. From the research I have done I am sure Munster will be very similar, a proud team with a great record.”

Despite primarily being an out-half, Munster appear to have Bleyendaal in mind not just to compete with Ian Keatley and JJ Hanrahan, but to fix a problem area incoming head coach Anthony Foley will inherit at inside centre, where James Downey appears to be on the way out at the end of his contract next month.

“We believe Tyler can play an important role in the future of Munster Rugby, and will further strengthen our squad,” Munster chief executive Garrett Fitzgerald said. “In his roles at 10 and 12 he has been a key decision maker with an intelligent understanding of the game, and will provide us with an exciting option in midfield.”

Munster’s more pressing concerns following a shock 19-17 home league defeat by Ulster on Saturday revolve around Simon Zebo’s fitness. The Ireland wing limped off at Thomond Park after 52 minutes, although Penney said: “I think he’s not too bad.” Hanrahan may also be a concern having looked uncomfortable throughout his 30-minute stint as a replacement for Keatley. Munster’s young player of the year was rushed back from a groin tear to make the bench for the Heineken Cup semi-final against Toulon a fortnight ago and may yet prove to be a doubt for this Friday’s RaboDirect Pro12 semi-final trip to Glasgow.

Looking an even safer bet to miss the semis is Ulster’s No.8 Nick Williams, who was stretchered off with medial ligament damage in his right knee during the first-half. Head coach Mark Anscombe, otherwise was rightly delighted with the win having rested nearly all his first-choice players.