Oct 15,2024
Tyler Bleyendaal says Leinster will need all of their out-halves this season and that he understands building cohesion is one of the team's biggest challenges.
The New Zealander, a former Munster out-half, took over from Andrew Goodman as backs/attack coach with the four-time European champions over the summer.
Four games into the new BKT URC season, he’s seen three different starting out-halves in competitive action.
Sam Prendergast started their opening win over Edinburgh, while the 21-year-old subsequently went on to play all three games on the Emerging Ireland tour of South Africa.
Ross Byrne, at 29 the most experienced, was at 10 for the victory over the Dragons and was an early replacement in the round-three win over Benetton.
Ciarán Frawley (below), Ireland’s current back-up out-half, started the game in Italy and Saturday’s 26-12 success against Munster before moving out the line when Byrne was introduced in the 68th minute.
Harry Byrne, younger brother of Ross, has played just 23 minutes off the bench this season, including a five-minute cameo at centre in Croke Park at the weekend.
After three seasons of near misses for the club, Bleyendaal is the freshest pair of eyes on the coaching team and was asked about the importance of a team having a regular 'go-to' out-half.
"I think, genuinely, all the guys competing for that 10 jersey all have strengths that they bring to the game and have brought to the game for Leinster in the past.
"I’m sure they will get opportunities along the way. It’s just trying to stay ready and stay up to date with how we are trying to play the game.
"I definitely waited until I got into the building to see the players training face to face.
"Realistically, I've coached four games in person that I’ve seen the guys play so even my exposure to watching the guys is limited.
"Yeah, as a 10 you always want to be playing but you’ve also got to serve the team first and try and get your reps and rhythm, but sometimes you’re playing, sometimes you’re not, but that’s still the goal."
With Leinster the bulk suppliers of the national team, they are often serving more than one master. Add in an Emerging Ireland and a Lions tour then this season will stretch their resources.
"The reality is that the cohesion part is very challenging for us 'cos guys are away in Irish camp, we’ve got European games and then some people on rest, and then interpros, rest and Europe and then back to Ireland camp," he added.
"Cohesion is the challenge for us.
"That’s why we need the squad depth because if you don’t try and filter that in along the way you might get to a point you need mass changes but guys haven’t had exposure for a long time.
"It’s a really challenging balance for the coaching staff to say, ‘right, what combinations need a few weeks together, when can we bring in fresh faces, how can we expose some youngsters who are going to need to play for us later down the season?’"
Leinster will look to make it five wins out of five when they visit the Dexcom Stadium to face Connacht on Saturday, while Munster are in Cape Town to take on the Stormers.
Ulster host the Ospreys on Friday night.
