NZ media reaction: 'The All Blacks are in a heap of trouble'

New Zealanders had been fearing it all week; an unthinkable scenario that would tip an unconvincing series into the realms of disaster.

And so it came to pass.

Ireland beat the All Blacks 32-22 to win the series, scoring three tries in a barely believable first half.

It has not gone down well. New Zealand, in fairness, have been gracious in defeat with plenty of praise going the way of Andy Farrell's men. But the press has also been scathing in its criticism of their own coach Ian Foster.

In the The New Zealand Herald, Liam Napier writes: "Before the pitchforks and effigies emerge from the angry mob demanding coaching heads it is the height of ignorance to not first acknowledge Andy Farrell's world-class, intelligent, skilled Irish team that has expertly picked apart the All Blacks over the past two weeks.

"The tourists fully deserve the recognition and acclaim coming their way. At the end of their long season this was a brutal five-match tour. Ireland emerged out the other side grinning from ear to ear. And they are sure to celebrate in style.

"For the All Blacks, though, the numbers don't lie. They are grim, in fact. Unwanted records keep mounting. This week there were no cards for the All Blacks to blame, either.

"The wolves are at the door for Ian Foster, who now has a 16 from 24 record, and his coaching team."

In the same publication Gregor Paul declares: "Beyond doubt now is that the All Blacks are clearly in a rut. They can't string together 80-minute performances and they don't seem to be able to kick-start themselves into action until they are looking at something desperate on the scoreboard.

"The performance in Wellington was considerably better than the one in Dunedin, but it still wasn't at the standard it needed to