Tyler Bleyendaal says Ireland have set a new benchmark

New Zealand’s sporting reaction to their defeat by Ireland in Soldier Field, Chicago, on Saturday has been favourably commented upon in this country.

And those plying their trade in the game here have been similarly complimentary. In-form Munster out-half and Christchurch native Tyler Bleyendaal made light of the inevitable slagging from his teammates yesterday and happily added to all the good things being spoken about Joe Schmidt’s and his squad.

“I was very complimentary of the Irish victory, it was well deserved”, he declared.