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Pursuing what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their legendary past, the New Zealand side have traveled to Europe at an interesting juncture.

Games against Ireland, Scotland, England and the Welsh team await Scott Robertson's side across the next four weekends but, beyond the possibility to equal the squads of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the record books, the games will be used as a benchmark to assess the progress of the side under a manager now 24 months into from assuming control.

Present Difficulties

Doubts over a lack of an distinctive approach, enduring debates over player choices and exits from the management team have all contributed to the feeling that the best-known side in the rugby is presently one in a period of transition.

Most importantly, it is the decline in outcomes from a historic high watermark set between the World Cups of the last decade that has caused some to speculate that we have evolved beyond of the era of Kiwi superiority.

Recent History

Before their journey for the fall series, it was confirmed that next year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will face the Springboks in a off-season matches dubbed 'an unprecedented series'.

Traditionally the sport's top competitors, there is no question over who has currently outperformed of what promoters have labeled 'The Premier Rivalry'.

During the last decade, the South African team have secured a two of global tournaments, three Rugby Championships and a competition against the home nations team to be regarded as the side of their period.

The All Blacks have maintained to overcome the Irish team when it matters most, defeating Saturday's opponents in the World Cup quarter finals of recent years. They have, at the same time, been defeated in just a couple of the past 21 meetings with the English team, have beaten the Welsh side in all matches since over sixty years ago and have never suffered defeat by Scotland.

Shifting Balance

But the diminishment of their standing as the game's gold standard will persist as an irritation.

Although the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the previous decade - securing eighty-seven percent of their fixtures, as well as lifting the global trophy on several instances - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be regarded as when the balance of power shifted in the international rugby.

The All Blacks beat the Springboks in their opening match of the championship in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were finally victorious in Yokohama.

From that point, the All Blacks' winning percentage has dropped to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves were defeated in ten of their subsequent fixtures but, since the start of 2023, have won at a percentage (83%) to compete with even the previous All Blacks side.

Head-to-Head

Throughout the equivalent timeframe, the 'Boks have won five of the past fixtures between the teams, including success in the 2023 World Cup final.

During their pursuit of their most recent regional title, the Springboks delivered a historic loss on the New Zealand team thanks to dominant performance in their home ground, a outcome which has triggered another round of discussion regarding the development of the squad under their leader.

Possibly most concerning for supporters of the All Blacks will be that, alongside their usual power, South Africa's triumph has come with an offensive flair more typically linked with their opposition team.

Playing Philosophy

At the time that the All Blacks were at the height of their capabilities 10 years ago, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit able of dismantling rivals from all areas of the pitch and at all times of the contest.

Currently, their playing philosophy is unclear as the coach, who has awarded 19 debuts during his recent tenure in command, tries to initially build the fundamental core elements of a competitive squad.

It has recently revealed that the backroom staff member overseeing scoring, the current coach, will exit the team after the upcoming matches, making him the additional person of Robertson's ticket to depart after previous staff member departed last year after just limited matches.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not only Robertson's success, but his approach, that was expected to translate from Crusaders when he began his tenure after the recent tournament but, as yet, both are still a work in progress.

Organizational Strategy

When financial organization Silver Lake invested capital in All Blacks in the past, the ensuing statement spoke of the "quest of international expansion" for the team.

That goal has maybe been more difficult by the absence of a global icon. The current captain and the collection of family members continue to be recognizable personalities in the game, but the concentration of key individuals has never been spread wider. The captain is the only All Black to receive international honors in the current era, in contrast to ten awards in over a decade between 2005 and '07.

Worldwide Reach

Rather, attempts have been implemented to introduce the All Blacks into new territories.

The first leg of this northern hemisphere series brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but Chicago, a revisit to the stadium where Ireland secured a historic win in the contest during past tours.

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