Injured Bleyendaal's season over
Ireland-bound Canterbury flyhalf Tyler Bleyendaal will miss the rest of the NPC season in New Zealand with a neck injury.
He has suffered a prolapsed disc in his neck and will receive surgery shortly to correct it.
Bleyendaal, who was scheduled to move to Ireland to play for the Munster at the end of this year, has been unavailable for selection due to a sore neck since he played against Waikato in the second round of the competition.
A scan has revealed the prolapsed disc as being the cause of the problem.
The long-term prognosis is uncertain until surgery has been completed and the neck has had time to recover.
However, it is hoped that Bleyendaal would be able to return to the playing field next year.
Bleyendaal said he is hugely disappointed to miss what was to be his last season with Canterbury before heading to Munster.
"I would obviously love to be playing this final season out with my teammates, but I hope to be able to continue to contribute to this team in other ways off the field," the flyhalf said.
"I am working with Munster to plan the rehab process and I'm looking forward to contributing to their campaign once I have fully recovered," Bleyendaal added.
Canterbury coach Scott Robertson said Bleyendaal's presence on the field would be sorely missed.
"Tyler is such a talented and smart player so losing him for the rest of the season is a big blow," Robertson said.
"But even though he's unable to contribute on the field, he'll still be taking part in our other team preparations and will continue to play a significant role in other areas such as strategy, where his skills are second to none.
"Everyone in the team is gutted for Tyler but we are just wishing him the best possible recovery so he can get out on the footy field again soon," Robertson said.
