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Pursuing what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their storied history, the New Zealand side have headed north at an interesting juncture.

Matches against Ireland, Scotland, the English squad and Wales await Scott Robertson's side across the upcoming weeks but, beyond the possibility to join the squads of previous successful tours in the record books, the games will be used as a measure to assess the improvement of the squad under a leader now 24 months into from taking up the reins.

Team Issues

Concerns over a lack of an clear playing identity, ongoing discussions over selection and exits from the coaching ticket have all added to the feeling that the most famous squad in the rugby is currently one in a time of change.

Most significantly, it is the drop in performances from a historic high watermark set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has caused some to speculate that we have moved out of the age of New Zealand dominance.

Recent History

Before their departure for the European tour, it was revealed that next year, in the absence of the southern hemisphere competition, the All Blacks will meet South Africa in a warm-weather tour called 'an unprecedented series'.

In the past the game's two strongest sides, there is little doubt over who has currently outperformed of what marketers have described 'The Premier Rivalry'.

In recent seasons, the South African team have claimed a couple of global tournaments, three southern hemisphere titles and a competition against the British and Irish Lions to be regarded as the team of their period.

The All Blacks have persisted to defeat Ireland when it counts most, defeating Saturday's opponents in the World Cup quarter finals of 2019 and '23. They have, additionally, been defeated in just a couple of the last fixtures with the English team, have beaten the Welsh side in every encounter since over sixty years ago and have remained unbeaten by Scotland.

Evolving Landscape

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

While the All Blacks excelled through the last ten years - securing 87% of their international games, as well as lifting the global trophy on two occasions - the World Cup of 2019 can now be viewed as when the competitive landscape moved in the international rugby.

New Zealand overcame the Springboks in their initial fixture of the championship in the host nation, but it was the South Africans who were ultimately triumphant in Yokohama.

Since then, the All Blacks' success rate has dropped to 71%. The Springboks themselves were defeated in ten of their next 26 Test matches but, commencing of 2023, have won at a rate (83%) to compete with even the former Kiwi champions.

Recent Encounters

During the equivalent timeframe, the South African team have won the majority of the recent encounters between the sides, comprising success in the 2023 World Cup final.

During their pursuit of their current southern hemisphere crown, the Springboks administered a record 43-10 defeat on the New Zealand team courtesy of overwhelming display in Wellington, a result which has triggered another series of controversy regarding the progress of the side under their leader.

Possibly most troubling for followers of the All Blacks will be that, allied to their characteristic physicality, the Springboks' success has come with an offensive flair more usually associated with their opposition team.

Style Evolution

At the time that the New Zealand team were at the peak of their powers a decade past, they were a devastating offensive machine equipped of destroying rivals from every section of the field and at any point of the contest.

Now, their attacking style is less defined as Robertson, who has given numerous first caps during his two years in charge, tries to initially build the basic building blocks of a successful side.

It has recently revealed that the assistant coach responsible for attack, Jason Holland, will depart his position after the fall series, becoming the additional person of Robertson's ticket to exit after another coach departed last year after just limited matches.

Team Development

It was not just previous achievements, but his approach, that was predicted to translate from his former team when he took over after the recent tournament but, as yet, the two aspects are still a ongoing development.

Organizational Strategy

Following financial organization Silver Lake invested capital in All Blacks in recent years, the ensuing statement discussed the "search of new global opportunities" for the organization.

That objective has maybe been more challenging by the shortage of a crossover star. Their key player and the group of related players remain household names in the rugby, but the concentration of key individuals has never been spread wider. Savea is the sole New Zealand player to earn international honors in the past six seasons, in opposition to 10 in 13 years between 2005 and '07.

Worldwide Reach

Alternatively, efforts have been implemented to introduce the All Blacks into emerging regions.

The initial stage of this northern hemisphere series brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a return to the Soldier Field venue where Ireland secured a historic win in the match in previous seasons.

After the reduction of pandemic limitations, the All Blacks have furthermore