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Pursuing what would be just a fifth tour victory in their illustrious legacy, the New Zealand side have traveled to Europe at an interesting juncture.

Games against Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales await the All Blacks across the next four weekends but, in addition to the opportunity to join the sides of previous successful tours in the record books, the matches will be used as a yardstick to evaluate the improvement of the team under a leader now well established from beginning his tenure.

Present Difficulties

Doubts over a shortage of an clear playing identity, enduring debates over selection and departures from the management team have all fueled the feeling that the most famous squad in the game is presently one in a state of flux.

Most importantly, it is the drop in performances from a historic high watermark set between the World Cups of 2011 and 2019 that has led some to speculate that we have transitioned away of the period of New Zealand dominance.

Team Record

Prior to their journey for the northern hemisphere, it was revealed that next year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will play South Africa in a warm-weather tour dubbed 'an unprecedented series'.

Historically the game's two strongest sides, there is little doubt over who has lately dominated of what promoters have described 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.

During the last decade, the South African team have won a couple of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a series against the British and Irish Lions to be regarded as the squad of their era.

New Zealand have continued to beat Ireland when it is crucial, beating their next challengers in the global competition of the past two tournaments. They have, at the same time, been defeated in just a couple of the last fixtures with the English team, have overcome the Welsh side in all matches since over sixty years ago and have always been victorious by the Scottish team.

Shifting Balance

But the loss of their status as the sport's measure of excellence will persist as an irritation.

Whereas the New Zealand team dominated through the last ten years - achieving 87% of their international games, as well as lifting the global trophy on multiple times - the global tournament of 2019 can now be viewed as when the competitive landscape changed in the world sport.

The All Blacks overcame the Springboks in their initial fixture of the tournament in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were finally victorious in the final.

Since then, the All Blacks' winning percentage has fallen to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves lost 10 of their following games but, since the start of 2023, have won at a percentage (eighty-three percent) to compete with even the previous All Blacks side.

Recent Encounters

During the same period, the Springboks have secured victory in the majority of the recent encounters between the sides, featuring success in the recent championship match.

While securing their latest regional title, Rassie Erasmus' side delivered a significant beating on the All Blacks courtesy of overwhelming display in their home ground, a outcome which has triggered another series of controversy about the development of the squad under Robertson.

Possibly most jarring for fans of the New Zealand team will be that, allied to their usual power, the Springboks' triumph has come with an creative approach more usually associated with their opposition team.

Playing Philosophy

When the All Blacks were at the peak of their abilities in previous eras, they were a clinical transition team able of dismantling competitors from any part of the field and at all times of the game.

Currently, their offensive approach is unclear as Robertson, who has given multiple new players during his two years in charge, tries to first establish the basic core elements of a competitive squad.

It has previously announced that the backroom staff member in charge of offense, their offensive coordinator, will exit the team after the autumn tour, becoming the second member of Robertson's ticket to exit after Leon MacDonald departed last year after just five Tests.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not only Robertson's success, but his style, that was anticipated to translate from Crusaders when he assumed control after the 2023 World Cup but, to date, the two aspects remain a ongoing development.

Business Factors

After financial organization Silver Lake acquired shares in All Blacks in recent years, the subsequent announcement mentioned the "pursuit of new global opportunities" for the brand.

That goal has possibly been harder by the lack of a crossover star. Ardie Savea and the collection of Barrett brothers are still well-known figures in the game, but the distribution of talented players has become more diverse. Savea is the single All Black to earn international honors in the past six seasons, in comparison to 10 in 13 years between previous generations.

Worldwide Reach

Alternatively, efforts have been undertaken to transplant the New Zealand team into previously untapped markets.

The opening phase of this northern hemisphere series brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a comeback to the Soldier Field venue where the Irish team secured a historic win in the fixture in previous seasons.

After the relaxation of health protocols, the All Blacks have additionally