Munster’s Man of the Match on Saturday presented his award to the widow of Anthony Foley afterwards.
Tyler Bleyendaal gave a stunning performance against Glasgow and scored an impressive 16 points at Thomond Park on Saturday where Munster beat the Scottish side 38-17.
After the game, Bleyendaal was presented with his Man of the Match award but it never saw his mantlepiece. The New Zealander travelled to the home of Olive Foley and presented her with his well deserved accolade.
Its believed to been a gesture of gratitude on respect for the way Anthony ‘Axel’ Foley had defended the 26-year-old Bleyendaal when he suffered an injury that almost ended his time at Munster.
There were suggestions at the time that Munster should cut their losses and cut the former All Blacks U20 loose.
At the time however Anthony Foley backed Bleyendaal and told reporters that once a player has signed a deal he was a Munster player and the province would look after him accordingly, and with respect.
Speaking to Sky after Saturday’s match, Bleyendaal said: “It was a very tough week but we stuck together. We were there to support [Anthony Foley’s] family, Olive and the kids, and the community, and we knew once we got to this pitch there was going to be a lot of emotion let go. But we had a job to do and Axel would’ve wanted us to do him proud.”
After the game, its understood that Bleyendaal made his way to Killaloe where he visited the Foley home and presented his Man of the Match award to Anthony Foley’s wife Olive.