Leinster's Sam Prendergast learning greatly through adversity on European stage
Leinster attack coach Tyler Bleyendaal, a former Munster out-half, was impressed by how new Ireland cap Sam Prendergast went about his Champions Cup business in Bristol and expects a more physical test against Clermont
Tyler Bleyendaal is enjoying the sight of Sam Prendergast in full flow and learning on the job.
Prendergast made a sensational Champions Cup impact in Bristol at the weekend, scoring two tries in a second half attacking masterclass.
The 21-year-old will hope to retain the out-half role against Clermont this weekend and Bleyendaal, who played in the No.10 jersey for Munster before becoming an attack coach with the Hurricanes and now Leinster, is helping to guide the new Ireland star.
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"Yeah, he's definitely maturing, probably beyond his years," assessed Bleyendaal. "He obviously had some great moments on the ball and line breaks and tries.
"But we had some difficult periods in the first half and you look back and you got a good result and you’re kind of grateful for having to go through some of that adversity.
"And for him to be a part of that and you have to solve problems along with the forwards or the other game drivers, it's probably a good learning curve for him. I think he just enjoyed himself finding opportunity on the ball and, and trying to set the other players alight.
"Like, he's really good at putting other players in space. So he found himself in space himself and he backed himself, which is always great to see - and the players around him appreciate that about him and it was just pleasing for him to get those rewards.
"But he's a very skilful passer and kicker - and it's always great when a team has to worry about your run through as well."
Meanwhile, the education of Jordie Barrett continues at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday. Bleyendaal knows Barrett as well as anyone in the game and the 27-year-old's recent arrival marks another reunion for the Kiwi pair.
He remembers Barrett from when he played at Canterbury with the current All Black's brother Kane, then Bleyendaal worked with Jordie at the Hurricanes before they both arrived in Dublin since the summer.
"He's still growing as a player, I think, but he's obviously world class as well," said Bleyendaal. "Yeah, just a champion guy. I think off the field, he's a really nice fella. He's really dedicated, and on the field you see his attributes, he's really physical. He's a big man, but he can also run, he works really hard, on and off the ball. So, yeah, an exciting player to work with."
Ireland fans knew that Barrett could defend - he was the All Black that held up Rónan Kelleher over the try-line in the moment that decided last year's World Cup quarter-final.
But he provided a reminder of what he can do on his debut off the bench in Bristol last Sunday as he put in big hits and even a choke tackle to settle nicely into Leinster's defensive system.
Bleyendaal acknowledges that the province's way is different to what Barrett was used to at home and believes that Clermont, who successfully shut out Benetton last weekend, will provide a different kind of test.
“I’m expecting big, physical men to come and play big, physical rugby," said Bleyendaal. "They've got a great set piece. They can carry strong, they're very disciplined and deliberate with their kicking. They've definitely added that to their game. But that's balanced with game breakers.
"So it's like you can't get just bored of them doing what they do well because suddenly they break the game open with some individual talent. So some challenges we're going have to face and overcome - and then try and impose our game on top of them.”
Barrett has already set his sights on playing at centre and Bleyendaal believes that is his best position. "He adds a lot of punch to your attack. He can get over the game line, but he's got subtleties to his skill set which puts other players in space.
"I don't want to pigeonhole him into ‘he's this player’ but the attributes he has, he can offer across our system, but definitely - probably - most comfortable 12 at the minute."
The Blues coach added: "He has a natural aura about him. He's played for the All Blacks for a long time now. He's achieved at a high level - and you just place him in with other high achievers and high level players and they forever just learn off each other.
"Like, Jordie will be learning a lot too, when we talk about what the players going to learn off him. He'll be sitting there soaking in a lot of stuff from this environment, from the players that play international rugby - and even the academy guys coming through, just the way they do things. You learn and you appreciate different aspects.
"And similarly, I think they look at Jordie and go, 'well, what a special talent'. They wouldn't have seen a lot of him in person. But quickly they'll see how hard he works - how hard he works off the ball, his ability to communicate and make things easier for players around him.
"A great player can always give time and space to guys around him and, yeah, they're going to start appreciating a few of those things.”
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