All Blacks coach Foster under fire as New Zealand launch snap review of Ireland loss

Ian Foster's future as All Blacks head coach looks in doubt after New Zealand Rugby on Sunday launched an urgent review into the Ireland series defeat, which chief executive Mark Robinson deemed "not acceptable".

Robinson issued a short statement a day after New Zealand's 32-22 loss in the third and deciding Test in Wellington, resulting in a home series defeat for the All Blacks for the first time in the professional era.

"Congratulations to the Irish team for their well-deserved win last night but clearly the performance across the series for the All Blacks was not acceptable as we know they have reflected. We all know there is a huge amount of work to do," Robinson said.

"Our focus now is to work with Ian and his team to understand thoroughly in advance of the Rugby Championship what is needed to improve performance and where to go from here. We will begin this work immediately."

A press conference scheduled with Foster earlier on Sunday was inexplicably cancelled.

The 57-year-old told reporters immediately after the Test that he would not speak about his job, only the game, with a media officer stepping in to prevent further questioning.

Former long-serving assistant coach Foster was under pressure going into the series because of his modest record since succeeding Steve Hansen in 2020.

After winning the first Test in Auckland, New Zealand were outplayed by Andy Farrell's well-drilled Irish team and have now lost four of their last five Tests.

Schmidt in wings

Foster has overseen 16 wins in 24 Tests - unacceptable by his country's lofty expectations - and they have dropped to a record-low fourth in the world rankings while having their indomitable reputation corroded by the results and glaring on-field flaws.

Foster is likely