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Pursuing what would be just a fifth tour victory in their legendary past, the All Blacks have headed north at an crucial period.

Games against Ireland, the Scottish side, England and Wales await Scott Robertson's side across the next four weekends but, in addition to the opportunity to match the teams of previous successful tours in the annals of rugby, the games will be used as a measure to measure the progress of the side under a manager now well established from assuming control.

Current Challenges

Concerns over a lack of an distinctive approach, ongoing discussions over player choices and exits from the backroom staff have all added to the perception that the most famous squad in the game is presently one in a state of flux.

Most importantly, it is the dip in outcomes from a previous peak set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has led some to suggest that we have evolved beyond of the period of New Zealand dominance.

Team Record

Before their departure for the fall series, it was revealed that during the following season, in the lack of the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks will meet South Africa in a summer series dubbed 'a tour like no other'.

Traditionally the sport's top competitors, there is clear agreement over who has recently got the better of what marketers have described 'The Ultimate Contest'.

During the last decade, the South African team have claimed a two of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a competition against the British and Irish Lions to be considered as the squad of their period.

New Zealand have continued to overcome Ireland when it is crucial, overcoming this weekend's rivals in the tournament knockout stages of the past two tournaments. They have, at the same time, been defeated in just two of the recent encounters with England, have beaten the Welsh side in every encounter since the sixties and have never suffered defeat by Scotland.

Changing Dynamics

But the loss of their standing as the rugby's benchmark will remain frustrating.

Whereas the All Blacks dominated through the previous decade - achieving 87% of their international games, as well as winning the World Cup on multiple times - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be seen as when the balance of power moved in the global game.

The All Blacks beat South Africa in their first game of the competition in Japan, but it was the Boks' who were ultimately triumphant in Yokohama.

After that event, the New Zealand's victory ratio has fallen to 71%. The Springboks themselves were defeated in 10 of their subsequent fixtures but, from the beginning of 2023, have achieved victory at a percentage (83%) to rival even the previous All Blacks side.

Head-to-Head

Throughout the same period, the Springboks have secured victory in five of the past fixtures between the teams, including success in the recent championship match.

In claiming their current continental championship, South Africa administered a significant beating on the New Zealand team courtesy of dominant performance in their home ground, a result which has triggered another round of controversy about the direction of the squad under Robertson.

Maybe most troubling for followers of the New Zealand team will be that, combined with their traditional strength, South Africa's triumph has come with an creative approach more typically linked with their traditional rivals.

Playing Philosophy

At the time that the New Zealand team were at the zenith of their powers in previous eras, they were a clinical transition team able of dismantling rivals from every section of the pitch and at any point of the game.

Currently, their playing philosophy is more ambiguous as Robertson, who has awarded multiple new players during his 24 months in command, tries to first establish the more prosaic building blocks of a competitive squad.

It has already been confirmed that the backroom staff member responsible for scoring, the current coach, will leave his role after the fall series, making him the additional person of the coaching staff to depart after previous staff member departed last year after just five Tests.

Team Development

It was not only Robertson's success, but his approach, that was anticipated to transfer from previous club when he took over after the 2023 World Cup but, as yet, both remain a work in progress.

Commercial Considerations

Following private equity firm investors bought a stake in All Blacks in recent years, the ensuing statement mentioned the "pursuit of international expansion" for the brand.

That objective has perhaps been more difficult by the absence of a crossover star. Their key player and the trio of related players remain well-known figures in the sport, but the distribution of key individuals has become more diverse. Their leader is the sole New Zealand player to receive global recognition in the current era, in comparison to ten awards in over a decade between previous generations.

Global Expansion

Instead, initiatives have been implemented to introduce the New Zealand team into emerging regions.

The opening phase of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings New Zealand not to Dublin but Chicago, a comeback to the stadium where Ireland secured a first ever victory in the fixture in previous seasons.

Following the relaxation of health protocols, the New Zealand team have also