All Blacks: Fitzpatrick calls question time

All Black Luke McAlister fronts the media after returning home from South Africa last night. Photo / Dean Purcell

Former All Black great Sean Fitzpatrick has demanded serious questions be asked about the New Zealand coaches in light of the team's two successive Tri-Nations defeats.

"There need to be serious questions. Not only about the players for their lack of discipline, but also the coaches for their lack of a gameplan and where we are actually going. Because at the moment we are really struggling," he said.

"At lineout time we're struggling and we're also struggling with the gameplan.

"There are huge question marks. New Zealand will be asking those questions and so they should be."

The ex-New Zealand hooker who won 92 caps for his country between 1986 and 1997, captaining the All Blacks 51 times from 1992-97, called Saturday's 31-19 test defeat in Durban "pretty average to say the least".

"We said before the game this was a huge game for the All Blacks and would be a fair reflection of where they are. If they are going to compete they have got to win their own lineout ball and have a better set-piece platform."

Fitzpatrick welcomed the near three-week break the New Zealanders have before they take on Australia in Sydney on August 22.

"They have a rest now which is lucky. But they have a lot of work to do in terms of just sorting the lineout.

"There is one big question for me, being a hooker, why they are not winning their own lineout ball. I don't know how far away Ali Williams is, but there are a number of players there who will be asked questions of. You look at Richie McCaw - [Heinrich] Brussow totally out-shone him. But once again, the rest of the forward pack are not contributing."

On that theme, Fitzpatrick admitted he was a big fan of Canterbury backrower Kieran Read.

"I like him, he is very, very classy at No 8, he does well."

Fitzpatrick has no doubts as to Dan Carter's recall.

"I would be looking seriously at Daniel Carter, just to give a bit of direction to this All Black team.

"I know he has only played two games but he showed me enough against North Harbour to say he should slot straight back into the team.

"Why not bring him back? Because at the moment they are lacking real direction at 10."