Tyler Bleyendaal captained the New Zealand U20s to victory at the 2010 Junior World Championships in Argentina. He went on to make 19 Super Rugby appearances for the Canterbury Crusaders.
Born and raised in Christchurch, he made his Crusaders debut in 2012.
In May 2014, it was announced that Bleyendaal had agreed to join Munster later in the year. At the time, he spoke with excitement about joining the province.
I am really excited to be heading to a new challenge of playing in a great competition in a new part of the world, for a world renowned team. The decision was not an easy one as my time with Canterbury and the Crusaders has been amazing, being involved with quality people every day has made the place special. From the research I have done I am sure that Munster will be very similar, a proud team with a great record.
Due to injuries, the out-half did not make his debut for Munster until September 2015 in a Pro12 game against Treviso at Musgrave Park. It would be another year before Bleyendaal made his European Cup debut, a win against Glasgow at Thomond Park.
When is Tyler Bleyendaal eligible to play for Ireland?
Tyler Bleyendaal was initially scheduled to join Munster on November 1st, 2014. However, a neck injury sustained while playing for Canterbury in the ITM Cup delayed his arrival in Ireland until January 2015.
Under World Rugby's three-year residency rule, Bleyendaal will be eligible to play for Ireland in January 2018.
He could be selected for the 2018 Six Nations.
Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
