'Abysmal' and 'embarrassing': New Zealand press assess Ireland's performance

Ireland’s standing as a rugby nation has taken a tumble after the ignominious quarter-final exit at the hands of the All Blacks, with the New Zealand press declaring Joe Schmidt’s side “abysmal” and “embarrassing”.

Liam Napier writes in the New Zealand Herald that next week’s semi-final against England will prove “a significant step up” for the All Blacks. Expanding on Ireland’s no-show, Napier says that Ireland “dropped ball, kicked terribly to miss touch from penalties three times. They fell off tackles and made so many simple errors.