All Blacks great Jeff Wilson has put the onus squarely on coaching staff to turn New Zealand's waning World Cup aspirations around against South Africa next month.
With the bitter taste of a rate home series defeat to Ireland still fresh, NZ Rugby has sounded a warning to coach Ian Foster and his assistants that the results is "not acceptable", a sentiment echoed throughout the rugby-mad nation.
Sky Sport commentator Wilson, 48, points to the All Blacks' next outings against the world champion Springboks as crucial to the future of Foster's tenure, which has seen his record slip to 16 wins, seven losses and a draw, since assuming the helm in 2019.
"The reality is we've got the talent," Wilson told Newshub. "We've always had the talent here in New Zealand - it's about timing our run and getting it ready for a Rugby World Cup.
"I look at the group of players and I'd say yes, it's there. The challenge for this group - and there's a number of coaches under pressure - is to deliver on the biggest stage.
"These two games against South Africa and the Rugby Championship are their opportunity to prove themselves, and give themselves the best chance in next year's Rugby World Cup."
After the 32-22 series-deciding defeat to Ireland at Wellington, Foster had to fend off media questions over his ability to guide the All Blacks, who have slipped to their lowest-ever world ranking of fourth under his watch.
"In the end, we missed out on the big moments once again," said Wilson. "Ireland have proved and confirmed they are world class opposition, and I think we have to accept the fact that this All Blacks team are fighting for an opportunity to win these big games.
"Ian Foster has talked about it, but the experience and leadership didn't find a way to get it done, and we're having to learn and learn very quickly how tough it is at the top right now.
"As a group of players, we have to come together, we've heard from them and the disappointment they're experiencing, but the reality is that Ian Foster and his coaching team have to find solutions very, very quickly to convince NZ Rugby they can do the job."
The All Blacks face their archrivals at Mbombela on August 7 and again at Johannesburg seven days later.
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