Tyler Bleyendaal finally ready to step into spotlight
Injuries have cast their shadow over Bleyendaal’s career since the fly-half took the plunge and decided to leave his native Canterbury and accept a contract offer in Ireland.
But the 26-year-old and his employers are finally being rewarded for their patience.
These are still early days in what is the third season of his involvement with Munster but playing five of his province’s first six games of the campaign represents something of a milestone in the overseas experience of the former New Zealand U20 captain, doubling his contribution during 2014-15 and 2015-16.
Tomorrow in Paris, Munster will finally see their fly-half import take his first steps in European competition when French champions Racing 92 play host at Stade Yves du Manoir and after serious neck and thigh injuries it is something to appreciate and celebrate.
“It’s great because it’s been a long process,” Bleyendaal said.
“I think I’ve been here across three different seasons now but I haven’t played many games. To string a few together and be involved and playing from week to week and be on the field and execute what we are trying to play, it’s been great.
"You feel really a part of it, when you are training you are the field with the guys. But when you play you are in battle and it means a lot.”
Bleyendaal could have been forgiven for believing his decision to leave home and travel north into the unknown was a mistaken one as toiled alone in his rehabilitations, watching from the sidelines as his almost team-mates got along without him.
“It never crossed my mind to stop. I was always trying to get healthy and get playing because that is what I came here to do.
"I came here for a new challenge. Everyone has been so supportive and the medical team has been great to try and get me back as best as possible. And I am just really excited for this season now, to be back and starting now and in the thick of it.”
Bleyendaal is acutely aware of not only Munster’s ongoing battle with history in Europe but also the pressure of being the latest fly-half to attempt to fill the boots of the red 10’s most successful owner, Ronan O’Gara.
The Corkman will be plotting an uncomfortable afternoon for Bleyendaal in his role as a Racing coach, offering a twin challenge to the current incumbent this weekend.
“I was at a dinner at the end of last season and they had a highlights package including everything he achieved here. And it was impressive. Jeez, you could feel the energy of everyone in the room.
“There’s not much we can do about him now. He’s on the Racing side now and he is going to bring a lot to their performance, I am sure. But for us, and myself, it’s purely focused on this week. What plan we can come up with to compete against a great Racing side.
“It doesn’t unnerve me.What he achieved was obviously outstanding and probably unmatchable.
"For us this week it’s about we can achieve, what we can do to beat a Racing team which is full of world-class talent. It is going to be a tough task. For myself, I can’t be distracted by that kind of thinking.”
How Munster go about beating the odds and winning in Paris tomorrow is certainly a conundrum given their lack of penetration for long periods last week aganst Leinster and Bleyendaal knows the puzzle O’Gara and Racing will pose him is “a very difficult one”.
“Obviously their attack from turnover is unbelievable. Their off-loading game, their attacking game is unbelievable - only if we give them that opportunity though.
"We have to reduce our error rate, especially from the Leinster match where we gave away easy points.
"Defensively, they are sound as well. We have to bring a bit of control to the match and just go about our business. We have to expect they are going to make some good line-breaks, they may even score a good couple of tries.
"And it’s how we respond, how we go about our business. That’s what matters.”
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