'Land of the Long Black Cloud'

It did not take the media long to turn on the All Blacks, following their sensational exit from the 2003 Rugby World Cup, on the back of a 22-10 against defending champions Australia in Sydney on Saturday.

It was not just the media that turned on the Kiwis, with at least one fan labelling them the "All Blanks"! But the media comments and headlines were certainly the most critical.

Now the Kiwis fear the loss will send their economy into a downward spiral, while coach John Mitchell and captain Reuben Thorne have already been branded public enemies number one.

Here are just some of the newspaper reports in the aftermath of Saturday's match:

'A long black cloud over New Zealand'

"Never mind the coaching staff, there will probably be a change of government in New Zealand. The All Blacks, favourites to beat their archrivals Australia and progress to the Final of the World Cup, were outplayed and outsmarted at the Telstra Stadium last night. Hysteria in Sydney, a long black cloud over Auckland."
- The Independent

'The journey descends into a big black hole'

"Chokers. The All Blacks have completed a nightmare World Cup hat-trick and again have sole rights to rugby's ugliest tag. The 22-10, one try apiece loss to Australia in Sydney last night brings closure to another misguided All Black World Cup campaign. The defeat has ramifications for New Zealand rugby well beyond the playing field. The sole upside is the All Blacks exit has delivered a stinging Dear John letter to coach John Mitchell. His contract expires at the end of the tournament. After last night's defeat and the poor off-field performances here by Mitchell, his assistant Robbie Deans and manager Tony Thorpe the trio can start looking for new jobs."

'World Chumps - Cup journey over for bumbling, stumbling ABs'

"The 'journey' is over - and so is All Black coach John Mitchell's contract. New Zealanders wake to the awful realisation this morning of another four years without the William Webb Ellis trophy. The defeat means Mitchell's spell ends in ignominy, after two years of public confusion and consternation at his methods and communication, mixed with at times breathtaking rugby."
- Sunday Star Times

'The End Of The World'
- Sunday News

'We choked'

"We stuffed up again right at the time when we needed them to perform."
- Radio sports commentator Murray Deaker