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Pursuing what would be just a fifth tour victory in their illustrious legacy, the All Blacks have headed north at an interesting juncture.

Fixtures against Ireland, Scotland, the English squad and Wales await the New Zealand team across the upcoming weeks but, in addition to the chance to equal the teams of previous successful tours in the record books, the games will be used as a yardstick to measure the progress of the squad under a manager now 24 months into from beginning his tenure.

Current Challenges

Doubts over a absence of an distinctive approach, continuing controversies over player choices and leavings from the backroom staff have all added to the feeling that the most recognisable team in the game is presently one in a state of flux.

Most importantly, it is the drop in outcomes from a past excellence set between the World Cups of 2011 and 2019 that has prompted some to speculate that we have transitioned away of the period of All Black exceptionalism.

Past Performance

Before their travel for the northern hemisphere, it was revealed that next year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will meet South Africa in a off-season matches dubbed 'a unique competition'.

Traditionally the sport's top competitors, there is little doubt over who has currently outperformed of what marketers have described 'The Ultimate Contest'.

In recent seasons, the South African team have claimed a two of global tournaments, three Rugby Championships and a series against the northern hemisphere selection to be viewed as the side of their era.

New Zealand have continued to overcome Ireland when it is crucial, beating their next challengers in the tournament knockout stages of the past two tournaments. They have, additionally, lost just a pair of the last fixtures with the English team, have beaten Wales in each game since the sixties and have never suffered defeat by Scotland.

Evolving Landscape

But the loss of their position as the rugby's benchmark will continue to rankle.

While the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the last ten years - securing eighty-seven percent of their Test matches, as well as winning the global trophy on several instances - the global tournament of 2019 can now be seen as when the hierarchical structure shifted in the international rugby.

New Zealand defeated South Africa in their initial fixture of the competition in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were ultimately triumphant in Yokohama.

Since then, the New Zealand's victory ratio has dropped to 71%. South Africa themselves were defeated in 10 of their subsequent fixtures but, commencing of 2023, have won at a rate (83%) to rival even the last great New Zealand team.

Head-to-Head

During the same period, the Springboks have won the majority of the recent encounters between the teams, comprising triumph in the 2023 World Cup final.

During their pursuit of their latest regional title, the Springboks inflicted a historic loss on the All Blacks courtesy of dominant performance in Wellington, a outcome which has sparked another wave of discussion about the direction of the squad under Robertson.

Possibly most concerning for followers of the New Zealand team will be that, combined with their usual power, the Springboks' achievement has come with an creative approach more commonly connected with their own side.

Team Identity

At the time that the All Blacks were at the peak of their powers a decade past, they were a clinical transition team equipped of dismantling rivals from any part of the pitch and at any moment of the game.

Currently, their attacking style is more ambiguous as Robertson, who has awarded numerous first caps during his 24 months in command, tries to initially build the basic core elements of a competitive squad.

It has recently revealed that the assistant coach overseeing offense, the current coach, will exit the team after the fall series, making him the next individual of Robertson's ticket to leave after previous staff member walked away last year after just five Tests.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not only his winning record, but his style, that was expected to translate from Crusaders when he assumed control after the global competition but, to date, both continue to be a continuous improvement.

Commercial Considerations

Following investment group investors acquired shares in All Blacks in the past, the following communication spoke of the "pursuit of international expansion" for the team.

That goal has perhaps been more difficult by the lack of a international celebrity. Ardie Savea and the trio of related players continue to be household names in the game, but the spread of key individuals has expanded significantly. Savea is the sole All Black to earn World Player of the Year in the recent years, in comparison to 10 in over a decade between the mid-2000s.

Global Expansion

Alternatively, attempts have been undertaken to establish the All Blacks into emerging regions.

The opening phase of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings New Zealand not to Dublin but Chicago, a revisit to the stadium where the Irish team obtained a landmark success in the match in previous seasons.

Following the reduction of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the All Blacks have also