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Pursuing what would be just a fifth tour victory in their storied history, the New Zealand side have headed north at an interesting juncture.

Games against Ireland, Scotland, the English squad and Wales await Scott Robertson's side across the upcoming weeks but, in addition to the possibility to match the teams of previous successful tours in the annals of rugby, the matches will be used as a measure to evaluate the progress of the squad under a manager now two years on from taking up the reins.

Team Issues

Concerns over a shortage of an distinctive approach, ongoing discussions over player choices and leavings from the management team have all fueled the perception that the most recognisable team in the rugby is now one in a time of change.

Most significantly, it is the decline in outcomes from a previous peak set between the global tournaments of 2011 and 2019 that has prompted some to theorize that we have evolved beyond of the era of New Zealand dominance.

Recent History

Prior to their journey for the fall series, it was revealed that next year, in the lack of the Rugby Championship, New Zealand will face South Africa in a warm-weather tour dubbed 'an unprecedented series'.

Historically the sport's top competitors, there is little doubt over who has lately dominated of what marketers have labeled 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.

Over the past seven years, the South African team 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 team of their generation.

New Zealand have maintained to defeat Ireland when it matters most, beating this weekend's rivals in the global competition of recent years. They have, at the same time, been defeated in just a pair of the past 21 meetings with England, have overcome the Welsh side in each game since over sixty years ago and have remained unbeaten by Scotland.

Shifting Balance

But the decline of their standing as the game's gold standard will remain frustrating.

While the All Blacks reigned supreme through the 2010s - securing eighty-seven percent of their international games, as well as winning the global trophy on multiple times - the World Cup of 2019 can now be regarded as when the balance of power moved in the world sport.

The All Blacks beat the Springboks in their opening match of the championship in Japan, but it was the South Africans who were eventually successful in the championship match.

From that point, the All Blacks' winning percentage has fallen to 71%. The Springboks themselves lost ten of their next 26 Test matches but, commencing of last year, have won at a frequency (eighty-three percent) to match even the former Kiwi champions.

Direct Competition

Over the comparable duration, the Springboks have won the majority of the seven meetings between the sides, including victory in the recent championship match.

While securing their most recent continental championship, South Africa inflicted a historic loss on the New Zealand team thanks to overwhelming display in their home ground, a outcome which has triggered another round of debate regarding the direction of the side under their leader.

Possibly most jarring for supporters of the All Blacks will be that, allied to their traditional strength, South Africa's triumph has come with an offensive flair more commonly connected with their traditional rivals.

Playing Philosophy

During the period when the All Blacks were at the height of their abilities 10 years ago, they were a devastating offensive machine equipped of shredding competitors from every section of the playing surface and at all times of the game.

Today, their attacking style is unclear as Robertson, who has given multiple new players during his recent tenure in control, tries to first establish the more prosaic core elements of a successful side.

It has already been confirmed that the assistant coach in charge of offense, their offensive coordinator, will depart his position after the upcoming matches, making him the second member of the coaching staff to leave after another coach walked away last year after just a handful of games.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not only previous achievements, but his style, that was expected to carry over from previous club when he took over after the 2023 World Cup but, so far, each are still a work in progress.

Business Factors

Following private equity firm investors bought a stake in New Zealand rugby in the past, the following communication mentioned the "quest of worldwide growth" for the organization.

That task has possibly been more challenging by the lack of a international celebrity. Ardie Savea and the trio of Barrett brothers are still well-known figures in the rugby, but the spread of key individuals has expanded significantly. Savea is the single New Zealand player to receive World Player of the Year in the recent years, in comparison to ten awards in 13 years between previous generations.

International Growth

Rather, initiatives have been undertaken to establish the All Blacks into new territories.

The opening phase of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings New Zealand not to the Irish capital but the American city, a return to the location where Ireland obtained a historic win in the fixture during past tours.

After the easing of health protocols, the New Zealand team have furthermore