Former Munster fly-half Tyler Bleyendaal has been confirmed as the newest addition to Leinster’s coaching staff for the 2024/25 season. Bleyendaal, aged 33, was forced to retire prematurely in 2020 due to a neck injury, but brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his new role.
Following his playing career, Bleyendaal transitioned into coaching and has been serving as an assistant coach at Super Rugby Pacific team Hurricanes in his native New Zealand. He also had the opportunity to work under Toutai Kefu with Tonga at the World Cup last year. His appointment comes as a replacement for Andrew Goodman, who will be joining Andy Farrell’s Ireland coaching set-up.
Bleyendaal will be accompanied by Hurricanes centre Jordie Barrett, who will be making the move to the United Rugby Championship in December. His arrival in Dublin has been met with enthusiasm and anticipation for the new season.
Expressing his gratitude, Bleyendaal thanked the Hurricanes and is looking forward to the opportunity to continue his growth as a coach at Leinster. In a statement to leinsterrugby.ie, he said, “I am very grateful for the opportunity they gave me as a young coach and the experiences we have shared together since then. The opportunity to test myself in another environment and in another competition was one that I was very keen to explore, and I am equally grateful to Leo Cullen for the chance to continue my growth as a coach. I am looking forward to joining Leinster Rugby ahead of next season and my family and I are very excited for the adventure ahead in a country that we hold dear.”
Leinster head coach, Leo Cullen, expressed his confidence in Bleyendaal’s capabilities as a coach, highlighting his expertise in the sport and familiarity with the rugby landscape in Ireland. He also emphasized the team’s eagerness to learn from Bleyendaal and the valuable perspectives he will bring to their coaching staff.
Overall, the addition of Tyler Bleyendaal to Leinster’s coaching team marks an exciting new chapter for the club, and his presence is sure to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.