Former All Blacks halfback-turned-commentator Justin Marshall is pointing the finger at NZ Rugby over its handling of the Ian Foster coaching situation, after Saturday's historic series defeat to Ireland.
After the All Blacks surrendered a first loss to Ireland on home soil at Dunedin, they compounded their woes with a 32-22 defeat to hand the visitors a first series win against New Zealand.
The result represents the All Blacks' first back-to-back home test losses since 1998 and the first home series defeat since 1994.
Embattled coach Foster has refused to discuss whether he is the right man for the job, with the All Blacks cancelling their usual 'morning after' media briefing on Sunday.
Instead, NZ Rugby chief executive Mark Robinson issued a short statement, labelling the All Blacks showings as "not acceptable" and stating the need for improvement.
Marshall has taken a critical eye to NZ Rugby's approach, insisting whatever process is needed should do so behind closed doors - out of the eye of a public that has largely lost faith with the current team.
"They've probably dropped the ball there, the New Zealand Rugby Union - excuse the pun," Marshall told AM. "That's not helped the situation, I don't think.
"This is an organisation that should be together. If there's any, I guess, review needed to be done or any discussion about the series, that should be done internally.
"Of course, the public have a vested interest in the All Blacks, there's no doubt about that, but Ian Foster already has been appointed through to the Rugby World Cup.
"Things will go wrong. There's no doubt they haven't had it all their own way, the All Blacks, and I do have some sympathy for Ian Foster… the COVID situation, the red-card situation in Dunedin, plus they've got some injuries to key players in key positions that they really need and they haven't been able to utilise.
"No doubt, there's still a problem out there, but I certainly feel this has to be an organisation - including the coaches and the players - that are together.
"No doubt, they have to discuss the series and the loss to Ireland, but my point is this is a good side. You don't need all those little things going wrong within a series like this against… I think they're the top team in the world right now, Ireland.
"Things have to be right. No doubt, there's a pathway going forward and they have to review why it was bad, but they have to do it internally.
"Now, quite obviously, it's not going to be."
Marshall also added that while coaches are usually reviewed after each series, much of the blame for the 2-1 series loss needs to be directed towards the players.
However, with Foster largely responsible for the gameplan, Marshall doesn't see the coach exempt from any scrutiny to come.
"I think a coach will always get reviewed after every series," he added. "What you've got to do is perform and protect the All Black history.
"They will look at why things are going wrong and why the gameplan is not quite in sync. Are the players to blame? Is the coach doing everything that he can?
"At the end of the day, he's not out there dropping the ball. He's not out there kicking the ball away, when they should be holding onto it, but if he is giving them those messages, then that's where it's wrong.
"No doubt, he will be under review, as will the players. I certainly do feel, yes, there is a review needed, but that should be internal."
The All Blacks' prospects won't get any easier in coming weeks, as they begin the Rugby Championship with a trip to face the world champion Springboks in South Africa, but Marshall is also adamant the current group has what's needed to turn their fortunes around.
"They're a very good side and we have great depth. There are some problems with the gameplan and the way the players are playing.
"We've got to get back to playing instinctive rugby, but in a nutshell, we have the talent, we have the depth, we have the players.
"There were still signs in that test series, that the All Blacks can get back to the top of the world."
