Oh my…
There are many reasons for Munster’s success on the pitch this season.
One of which has been the availability of Kiwi out-half, Tyler Bleyendaal.
The 26-year-old has thankfully had an injury-free season with the southern province after a number of different issues limited him to just a handful of appearances.
His form this season has won him praise from all quarters, even his fellow Canterbury native, Dan Carter, has been very impressed with Bleyendaal.
Don't think you want another Kiwi 10 as Tyler is on 🔥 this season. https://t.co/6ul1x3puFx
— Dan Carter (@DanCarter) March 21, 2017
Bleyendaal has the rare knack of being able to play in a variety of ways.
He is excellent at running hard at the defensive line before unleashing a pass but he is also capable of playing deeper and conducting proceedings based on how the game is unfolding.
Technically, he is very good but it is his intelligence and awareness on the pitch which sets him apart from his rivals.
We have often seen with Munster this season his ability to get in the right position or tell his teammates where to go or what to do before a crucial passage of play unfolds.
Bleyendaal was unavailable for Munster’s fixture with the Cardiff Blues but he made his return at the weekend in their 50-14 drubbing of Zebre in Parma.
His performance that day helped Munster to an easy victory but all the traits we have spoken about were evident in Ronan O’Mahony’s try in the second half.
Bleyendaal runs a searing, direct line and Dave O’Callaghan does well to pop the ball to the onrushing Kiwi.
Bleyendaal then finishes off the move with an accurate pass at full-tilt to O’Mahony who just has to worry about touching the ball down.
Munster fans will be delighted that Bleyendaal is displaying moments like this ahead of the Champions Cup quarter-final against Toulouse on Saturday.
