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Seeking what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their legendary past, the All Blacks have headed north at an crucial period.

Games against the Irish team, the Scottish side, the English squad and the Welsh team await the New Zealand team across the upcoming weeks but, beyond the chance to equal the teams of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the record books, the fixtures will be used as a yardstick to evaluate the progress of the team under a manager now two years on from assuming control.

Current Challenges

Doubts over a lack of an identifiable style, enduring debates over selection and departures from the management team have all contributed to the feeling that the most famous squad in the game is presently one in a period of transition.

Most significantly, it is the decline in performances from a previous peak set between the World Cups of 2011 and 2019 that has led some to theorize that we have evolved beyond of the age of All Black exceptionalism.

Past Performance

Ahead of their journey for the European tour, it was revealed that in the coming year, in the non-existence of the Rugby Championship, New Zealand will meet the Springboks in a warm-weather tour termed 'a tour like no other'.

Historically the game's two strongest sides, there is little doubt over who has currently outperformed of what marketers have described 'The Ultimate Contest'.

Over the past seven years, the South African team have secured a two of global tournaments, three Rugby Championships and a tour against the northern hemisphere selection to be regarded as the side of their generation.

The All Blacks have persisted to beat the Irish team when it counts most, overcoming their next challengers in the tournament knockout stages of 2019 and '23. They have, additionally, been defeated in just two of the recent encounters with England, have overcome Wales in each game since the sixties and have remained unbeaten by Scotland.

Shifting Balance

But the loss of their position as the sport's measure of excellence will remain frustrating.

Whereas the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the last ten years - securing eighty-seven percent of their Test matches, as well as claiming the global trophy on multiple times - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be seen as when the hierarchical structure changed in the global game.

The All Blacks overcame South Africa in their initial fixture of the championship in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were ultimately triumphant in Yokohama.

After that event, the All Blacks' victory ratio has fallen to 71%. The Springboks themselves lost ten of their following games but, from the beginning of 2023, have achieved victory at a percentage (eighty-three percent) to match even the former Kiwi champions.

Head-to-Head

Throughout the same period, the 'Boks have won five of the past fixtures between the sides, including triumph in the latest global tournament decider.

In claiming their current regional title, Rassie Erasmus' side inflicted a record 43-10 defeat on the All Blacks courtesy of overwhelming display in the capital, a result which has sparked another wave of discussion concerning the development of the squad under the coach.

Maybe most concerning for fans of the New Zealand team will be that, allied to their usual power, South Africa's success has come with an attacking verve more usually associated with their own side.

Team Identity

During the period when the New Zealand team were at the peak of their abilities 10 years ago, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit able of destroying competitors from any part of the playing surface and at all times of the match.

Currently, their offensive approach is more ambiguous as the coach, who has given 19 debuts during his 24 months in charge, tries to primarily create the fundamental foundations of a competitive squad.

It has already been confirmed that the backroom staff member responsible for scoring, their offensive coordinator, will depart his position after the fall series, becoming the additional person of Robertson's ticket to leave after Leon MacDonald left last year after just five Tests.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not only previous achievements, but his approach, that was expected to transfer from his former team when he took over after the recent tournament but, as yet, both are still a continuous improvement.

Commercial Considerations

Following investment group Silver Lake acquired shares in All Blacks in recent years, the following communication spoke of the "search of international expansion" for the brand.

That objective has possibly been more challenging by the lack of a global icon. Ardie Savea and the group of related players continue to be household names in the game, but the spread of talented players has never been spread wider. Savea is the sole New Zealand player to receive international honors in the recent years, in comparison to 10 in multiple seasons between the mid-2000s.

International Growth

Instead, attempts have been implemented to transplant the All Blacks into previously untapped markets.

The opening phase of this European campaign brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a revisit to the location where Ireland secured a landmark success in the fixture during past tours.

Following the relaxation of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the All Blacks have additionally