The sense of relief created by the All Blacks' victory over Ireland at Eden Park last weekend dissipated quickly after Andy Farrell's side won the second test 23-12 in Dunedin. It was the first time that Ireland have defeated the All Blacks on New Zealand soil.
That uncertainty about the form of the All Blacks, and their standing in world rugby, has returned with the speed of a Peter O'Mahony retort to Sam Care.
'The All Blacks won't have any knees quivering in Dublin'
In the New Zealand Herald, Gregor Paul writes that the game "will forever be known as the disaster in Dunedin" and that "Ireland have their first win in New Zealand and goodness knows they deserve it".
Paul says that it is "increasingly difficult" to see how Ian Foster and his coaching team can continue, and adds that "the biggest danger for the game in this country is the All Blacks losing their ability to induce fear wherever they go in the world, and we are getting close to that point.
"Certainly the All Blacks won't have any knees quivering in Dublin. Not now that the Irish have bagged the last of their golden ages – a win in New Zealand.
"And not now that the nature of that victory was so comprehensive and no one can mount a compelling defence that New Zealand were hard done by the officials."
9 July 2022; Andrew Porter of Ireland celebrates with teammate Josh van der Flier, above, after scoring his side's second try during the Steinlager Series match between New Zealand and Ireland at the Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
For Stuff.co.nz, Richard Knowler writes that Foster must be "prepared to feel the heat for a substandard performance" and says that the All Blacks "lost their composure, made handling mistakes as the green machine got into their faces, and were unable to pour on the pressure. The Irish not only had captain and first five-eighth Johnny Sexton calmly calling the plays, they also had a forward pack that was direct, aggressive and disruptive.
"All the things that are expected of the All Blacks."
In the Otago Daily Times, Hayden Meikle says that Ireland "benefited from one of the most bizarre halves in All Blacks history when the home team lost three players to cards (two yellow, one red) in the first spell" but he also adds that "It was a humbling night for the All Blacks, who were comprehensively out-played".
In his match report for the New Zealand Herald, Liam Napier notes that "On the pitch Ireland's celebrations were somewhat muted, though, knowing this triumph is only half the job."
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