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Aiming for what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their legendary past, the New Zealand side have embarked on their tour at an interesting juncture.

Matches against Ireland, Scotland, the English squad and Wales await the New Zealand team across the upcoming weeks but, in addition to the possibility to match the squads of previous successful tours in the annals of rugby, the games will be used as a yardstick to measure the improvement of the team under a manager now 24 months into from assuming control.

Team Issues

Doubts over a shortage of an identifiable style, enduring debates over selection and departures from the coaching ticket have all fueled the sense that the most famous squad in the game is now one in a time of change.

Most importantly, it is the dip in results from a past excellence set between the World Cups of 2011 and 2019 that has caused some to speculate that we have transitioned away of the age of Kiwi superiority.

Past Performance

Before their journey for the fall series, it was confirmed that next year, in the lack of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will face the Springboks in a off-season matches called 'a tour like no other'.

Historically the rugby's premier teams, there is clear agreement over who has lately dominated of what marketers have labeled 'The Premier Rivalry'.

Over the past seven years, the South African team have claimed a two of global tournaments, three southern hemisphere titles and a series against the home nations team to be regarded as the team of their period.

The All Blacks have continued to beat Ireland when it matters most, overcoming Saturday's opponents in the World Cup quarter finals of the past two tournaments. They have, additionally, been defeated in just two of the past 21 meetings with the English team, have defeated the Welsh side in every encounter since over sixty years ago and have remained unbeaten by Scotland.

Changing Dynamics

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

Whereas the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the previous decade - winning eighty-seven percent of their Test matches, as well as winning the Webb Ellis on multiple times - the World Cup of the previous competition can now be regarded as when the competitive landscape changed in the international rugby.

New Zealand overcame South Africa in their opening match of the competition in Japan, but it was the South Africans who were eventually successful in Yokohama.

Since then, the All Blacks' winning percentage has fallen to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves lost ten of their subsequent fixtures but, from the beginning of 2023, have achieved victory at a frequency (eighty-three percent) to rival even the former Kiwi champions.

Direct Competition

During the equivalent timeframe, the Springboks have won five of the seven meetings between the sides, comprising triumph in the latest global tournament decider.

While securing their most recent continental championship, Rassie Erasmus' side inflicted a historic loss on the New Zealand team courtesy of dominant performance in Wellington, a outcome which has triggered another wave of discussion concerning the direction of the team under their leader.

Maybe most concerning for fans of the All Blacks will be that, combined with their traditional strength, the Springboks' triumph has come with an creative approach more commonly connected with their own side.

Playing Philosophy

At the time that the New Zealand team were at the peak of their powers a decade past, they were a devastating offensive machine capable of shredding opponents from every section of the pitch and at any moment of the game.

Currently, their offensive approach is more ambiguous as Robertson, who has handed out multiple new players during his 24 months in control, tries to first establish the basic building blocks of a winning team.

It has previously announced that the backroom staff member responsible for attack, the current coach, will depart his position after the upcoming matches, becoming the second member of Robertson's ticket to leave after another coach left last year after just five Tests.

Team Development

It was not merely Robertson's success, but his approach, that was expected to transfer from his former team when he took over after the recent tournament but, to date, the two aspects continue to be a ongoing development.

Business Factors

After private equity firm investors acquired shares in New Zealand rugby in 2022, the subsequent announcement discussed the "pursuit of international expansion" for the team.

That goal has maybe been more challenging by the shortage of a international celebrity. Ardie Savea and the trio of family members are still household names in the sport, but the distribution of stars has never been spread wider. Savea is the single New Zealand player to earn World Player of the Year in the past six seasons, in contrast to 10 in over a decade between the mid-2000s.

Worldwide Reach

Instead, attempts have been undertaken to transplant the New Zealand team into previously untapped markets.

The first leg of this European campaign brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but the American city, a return to the Soldier Field venue where Ireland achieved a first ever victory in the contest nine years ago.

Following the relaxation of pandemic limitations, the New Zealand team have additionally