Bleyendaal joins Kiwis exodus

Crusaders and Canterbury flyhalf Tyler Bleyendaal has become the latest high-profile New Zealand player to head abroad to continue his career.

He announced he will move to Ireland to play for the Munster at the end of this year.

Bleyendaal, who played his 20th game for the Crusaders in Brisbane on Sunday, said it was a tough decision to make but the timing seemed right to earn some overseas experience.

"I love playing for Canterbury and the Crusaders so it was never going to be easy to make the decision to play for someone else," he said.

"But when the opportunity came up to play for Munster I couldn't pass it by.

This is a team with such a proud history and it is a brilliant opportunity for me to gain some international experience," Bleyendaal added.

"I am grateful to all of the players and coaches that I have been fortunate enough to work with here and I am fully committed to the Crusaders and Canterbury for their 2014 seasons."

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said Bleyendaal's move would be a real loss to the Crusaders.

"Tyler is a talented player with an incredible brain," Blackadder said.  

"He has one of the best rugby brains I've ever come across and that will take him far.

"We will be sad to see him go but we respect and support his decision and wish him all the best."

Canterbury coach Scott Robertson said Bleyendaal will be sorely missed by everyone in Canterbury.

"Tyler is a fantastic player but also just such a decent guy," Robertson said.

"His teammates, coaches and team management all hold him in high regard and I know they will all want to see him do well wherever he plays.  We are fortunate to have Tyler for another ITM Cup season before he departs and we'll all be hoping to make it a special one for him."

Bleyendaal's contract with Munster begins in November this year and runs through to June 2017.