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Aiming for what would be just a fifth northern hemisphere clean sweep in their storied history, the New Zealand side have headed north at an pivotal moment.

Fixtures against Ireland, the Scottish side, England and Wales await Scott Robertson's side across the next four weekends but, quite aside from the possibility to join the squads of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the record books, the fixtures will be used as a benchmark to assess the development of the squad under a manager now two years on from assuming control.

Present Difficulties

Questions over a shortage of an distinctive approach, enduring debates over selection and exits from the coaching ticket have all fueled the perception that the most recognisable team in the rugby is now one in a period of transition.

Most importantly, it is the decline in results from a past excellence set between the World Cups of 2011 and 2019 that has prompted some to speculate that we have evolved beyond of the age of New Zealand dominance.

Team Record

Prior to their departure for the European tour, it was confirmed that during the following season, in the absence of the Rugby Championship, New Zealand will meet the Springboks in a off-season matches termed 'an unprecedented series'.

Historically the rugby's premier teams, there is little doubt over who has recently got the better of what promoters have labeled 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.

In recent seasons, the Springboks have claimed a couple of global tournaments, three southern hemisphere titles and a tour against the British and Irish Lions to be considered as the squad of their generation.

New Zealand have maintained to defeat Ireland when it matters most, defeating their next challengers in the World Cup quarter finals of 2019 and '23. They have, additionally, been defeated in just a pair of the past 21 meetings with the English team, have overcome the Welsh side in all matches since 1963 and have always been victorious by Scotland.

Shifting Balance

But the loss of their position 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 lifting the Webb Ellis on several instances - the World Cup of 2019 can now be regarded as when the competitive landscape moved in the global game.

New Zealand beat the Springboks in their opening match of the tournament in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were ultimately triumphant in the championship match.

Since then, the New Zealand's winning percentage has declined to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves lost ten of their next 26 Test matches but, from the beginning of 2023, have won at a rate (eighty-three percent) to rival even the last great New Zealand team.

Direct Competition

Over the equivalent timeframe, the South African team have won five of the past fixtures between the opponents, featuring triumph in the latest global tournament decider.

While securing their current regional title, South Africa inflicted a significant beating on the New Zealand team courtesy of 36 unanswered second-half points in their home ground, a result which has triggered another wave of debate regarding the progress of the team under their leader.

Maybe most troubling for fans of the All Blacks will be that, combined with their usual power, South Africa's triumph has come with an creative approach more commonly connected with their own side.

Team Identity

When the New Zealand team were at the peak of their capabilities a decade past, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit equipped of dismantling competitors from all areas of the pitch and at any moment of the match.

Today, their attacking style is less defined as the coach, who has awarded multiple new players during his 24 months in command, tries to primarily create the fundamental building blocks of a successful side.

It has recently revealed that the assistant coach overseeing offense, Jason Holland, will leave his role after the fall series, becoming the next individual of Robertson's ticket to leave after Leon MacDonald walked away last year after just a handful of games.

Team Development

It was not just previous achievements, but his approach, that was predicted to translate from previous club when he began his tenure after the recent tournament but, as yet, both continue to be a ongoing development.

Organizational Strategy

Following investment group the company acquired shares in New Zealand rugby in recent years, the ensuing statement mentioned the "pursuit of new global opportunities" for the team.

That objective has perhaps been more difficult by the lack of a global icon. The current captain and the collection of Barrett brothers are still recognizable personalities in the sport, but the concentration of stars has become more diverse. The captain is the single New Zealand player to receive international honors in the current era, in comparison to 10 in 13 years between the mid-2000s.

Worldwide Reach

Instead, attempts have been implemented to transplant the New Zealand team into emerging regions.

The opening phase of this European campaign brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a comeback to the stadium where the Irish team obtained a historic win in the match nine years ago.

Following the easing of pandemic limitations, the All Blacks have additionally