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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Liam Napier

The mighty All Blacks are falling. Can they rule world rugby again?

All Blacks Rugby Ian Foster New Zealand New Zealand Rugby Leon MacDonald Steve Hansen World Cup Ireland Super Rugby
A group of All Blacks players look on dejectedly after their first ever home series defeat to Ireland
The All Blacks look on dejectedly after their first ever home series defeat to Ireland. New Zealand rugby is in turmoil as the team prepares for a tough tour of South Africa. Photograph: Joe Allison/Getty Images

New Zealand rugby’s tipping point appears nigh. Alarmist? Maybe. Yet as the fissures deepen while the All Blacks embark on a defining South African tour, New Zealand grows increasingly impatient for signs of resuscitation of its revered rugby tradition.

Two weeks ago the All Blacks ignited mass venting after losing against Ireland in Wellington – a result that consigned Ian Foster’s widely derided All Blacks to their first home series defeat in 27 years, their first ever against the Irish, and their fourth defeat in five Tests.

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