‘Worst All Blacks ever’: New Zealand turns on rugby team after Ireland loss

New Zealand rugby fans are reeling after the All Blacks’ historic loss of their test series against Ireland, with questions raised about the future of head coach Ian Foster and the team’s fitness ahead the World Cup.

On Saturday, New Zealand Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson issued a rare mid-season statement, saying the team’s performance was unacceptable and would be under immediate review.

“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,” he said.

“We all know there is a huge amount of work to do. 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 from here.”

Saturday’s 32-22 defeat was the fourth All Blacks loss of their last five tests, and followed a decisive Irish victory last week. It is the first time the All Blacks have lost consecutive tests on New Zealand soil in more than two decades, and with the World Cup looming in a year’s time, some ex-players and commentators say the team will need dramatic changes to secure a World Cup victory.

“Have they got a team that’s capable of winning the World Cup? On what we’ve seen in the last two weeks, you would doubt that,” said retired All Blacks star and captain Sean Fitzpatrick in a scathing interview with Sky Sport UK.

“The questions will be asked: Have they the right coaches? Have they the right head coach? We were outcoached, without question,” he said.

“The All Blacks used to worry about peaking too early before the World Cup, so at least that is no longer a concern. And when you consider the following facts it is difficult to see how Foster keeps