Hurricanes add a past Crusader
Thehurricanes have bolstered their coaching line-up with former Crusaders playmaker andmunster 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 homefor the next chapter.
“Becoming a part of amanagement team that wants to develop the talent in the Hurricanes squad and have themreach their potential as both menand rugby players is something I’m really looking forward to.”
Bleyendaal says coaching has always been an interest of his and a profession he wanted to pursue in his post-rugby life, with his playing career ended by aneck injury.
After hangingup the boots, he started reaching out to connections for advice.
“Itwas a goodwayformeto gather someknowledge and have discussions about rugby and coaching in a timewheni couldn’t be onthe field physically coaching.
“A few monthsdownthe line Dutchy [Jasonholland] got in touch and asked aboutmy situation, what myplanwas going forward and if Iwould like to expressmy interest in the role at the Hurricanes— I immediately said yes! His connection with Munster probably provided an opportunity for himto chat tohis connections and getsomehonest feedback aboutme as a person andmycoaching potential.”
Hurricanes head coach Holland says it’s Bleyendaal’s wealth of rugby knowledge that willmakehima valuable asset.
“He has experience running the gamein Super Rugby as a player and has recently been entrenched in the Northern Hemisphere rugby world both as a player andmorerecently in a coaching capacity. He has an astute rugby brain andwill challenge our coaching team and the players to grow and innovate.”
Bleyendaal watched the 2020 Super Rugby Aotearoacompetition from hishomeinlimerick and says hewasinspired by the crowds and the energy thecompetition created.
“You watch the relentless weekon-week battles that were taking place. High-pressure games with small margins. It wasa great competition fornewzealand rugby.”