18 Jul 2022

All Blacks lose test series to Ireland

From Morning Report, 7:18 am on 18 July 2022

Former All Black halfback Ant Strachan says while it would be unusual to drop the coach, he doesn't rule it out, following the All Blacks' series loss to Ireland.

New Zealand Rugby is starting a review into what they described as an unacceptable performance against the Irish. Ireland sewed up the series on Saturday night in Wellington, dominating the All Blacks in a 32-22 win.

In the history of the All Blacks - 119 years of test matches - they'd never been down at halftime by as many points, 19, and things only got marginally better after the break.

Afterwards, coach Ian Foster refused to answer questions about his future in the role, and New Zealand Rugby then cancelled his Sunday press conference.

NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson did issue a short statement saying the All Black's performance had been unacceptable.

Strachan told Morning Report the review has to be robust and he believes the All Blacks should get some other coaches involved in trying to improve the team.