MUNSTER’S Tyler Bleyendaal is relishing the opportunity to lock horns with his fellow countrymen this Friday nigth at Thomond Park. The out half is expected to play some part in the sold out meeting against the Maori All Blacks.
“Yeah, an exciting week. I’ve played against a lot of these guys and know a lot personally and the whole squad here is excited to be involved. I went to Christchurch Boys High Schools with Ash Dixon, their captain. He is very skilful and a great all-rounder, has played for New Zealand A, is a good leader and is selected as captain to lead from the front. If you look at their performance against the USA, they’re a very dangerous team with attacking threats across the board. So we will have to be on our game and are excited at the challenge” added the Kiwi native.
“It’s a big game for both sides. There have been a few injuries in the All Black squad and the Maori team is almost a feeder team for the All Blacks. Obviously guys came down from the All Black squad to play for the Maori and they see it very much as the one squad. They’re performing to try and get up another level to the All Black squad and make an impact. They are very proud people. They come in and embrace their history and they’re not here for a holiday, they’re here to perform with high expectations and play a very exciting brand of rugby which complements the individuals they have. They’ll be looking to put the pressure on us and score a lot of points. Our defence has been going very well and has presented a platform for us but it’s going to be tested and we have to expect they are going to score a lot of amazing tries. It’s how we respond and how much pressure we can put on and get the ball back is going to be the key” the on form out half continued.
When asked about the history between the All Blacks and Munster, Bleyendaal’s eye lit up.
“They know they’re coming to Munster and there’s history there, that they’re here for a battle and that we’re going to be up for it. We’re building to win at the end of the season and although this is not a competition, it’s a chance for guys while the internationals are out to come in and experience an awesome atmosphere and to perform under pressure. The defence is a massive part of that, it’s how we express ourselves in trying to get the ball back. We play for each other, what we’ve done in the pre-season and in the Pro 12 and one European game”
With memories of 2008 still fresh in everyone’s mind, Tyler was asked this week about whether Munster’s New Zealand natives, Francis Saili and himself, will perform a haka, this time around.
“We haven’t discussed it but a lot of the Irish guys like to put in a dig that I might be out there in the front but I’m not sure yet. I remember that game (2008) on tv and it was impressive, seeing those boys out there in front and the crowd getting right behind them. We’re just excited to have a sell-out crowd again after one a few weeks ago at Thomond Park and another in Cork at the week-end and now another opportunity on Friday. It’s not just us New Zealanders who are excited, the challenge for everyone in this team is that we want to win and perform well. To do it in front of a packed Thomond Park is goin to be great”
The Christchurch native is experiencing a rich vein of form in the last number of weeks. A man of the match performance against Glasgow has seen the injury hit number 10 with a smile on his face.
“Yes, I am enjoying my rugby after a few frustrating years with injuries. I’ve got in a few games now and building through the season. As a squad, we’re building as well and enjoying the rugby we’re playing. I feel we have a nice balance and a bit of variation. I guess we’re a new and a young squad, especially with combinations. We are enjoying it, having a bit of luck with the weather and a bit of firmness and a dry ball. When a ten is playing well, you should often look at the forward pack in front of him and I can’t be complaining about that because they are setting up such a great platform. And then outside backs, at the week-end, I sent up a fair few kicks and I’d hazard a guess we won the majority of them back. The guys are playing at a high level at the moment and I guess it’s because of the work we are putting in. And as the ten, it’s out job to steer the ship and make sure we’re landing them in the right spots.”
Following on from Ireland’s defeat of the New Zealand national side, Tyler admitted that both he and the New Zealand rugby public were both delighted for Ireland and disappointed for the All Blacks in the same measure.
“I don’t take a slagging! I was very complimentary of the Irish victory. It was well deserved. I thought they played some great rugby, they managed to keep the intensity for the entire eighty minutes. I’m sure there’s a bit of a reaction but more joy probably for the Irish. If we get beaten, we know that we have put in a good effort and Ireland did that at the week-end. We are obviously disappointed as a country to get beaten but we had a great run and to see what it meant to the Irish in Chicago, I think you have to have a bit of joy with them.
Potentially, we might see a different New Zealand team the next day but Ireland has now set a new benchmark. They made that statement after the game and a lot more will be expected of them now they’ve got their win after 111 years. They’ve got a chance to back it up two games in a row. The All Blacks will definitely be looking for improvement and the Irish team comes home to appear in front of their home crowd so it should be an exciting week-end”
