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Pursuing what would be just a fifth northern hemisphere clean sweep in their legendary past, the All Blacks have embarked on their tour at an crucial period.

Matches against Ireland, the Scottish side, the English squad and Wales await the All Blacks across the coming month but, beyond the possibility to join the teams of previous successful tours in the history books, the games will be used as a benchmark to evaluate the development of the team under a leader now two years on from beginning his tenure.

Current Challenges

Doubts over a lack of an distinctive approach, ongoing discussions over team picks and exits from the coaching ticket have all added to the sense that the most recognisable team in the game is currently one in a state of flux.

Most significantly, it is the drop in results from a historic high watermark set between the global tournaments of 2011 and 2019 that has prompted some to theorize that we have evolved beyond of the era of Kiwi superiority.

Recent History

Ahead of their travel for the northern hemisphere, it was confirmed that next year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, the All Blacks will meet South Africa in a warm-weather tour termed 'an unprecedented series'.

Traditionally the game's two strongest sides, there is no question over who has recently got the better of what promoters have described 'The Ultimate Contest'.

Over the past seven years, the Springboks have won a two of global tournaments, three Rugby Championships and a series against the northern hemisphere selection to be regarded as the team of their generation.

The All Blacks have maintained to beat Ireland when it matters most, overcoming this weekend's rivals in the tournament knockout stages of the past two tournaments. They have, additionally, lost just two of the past 21 meetings with England, have overcome the Welsh side in every encounter since 1963 and have always been victorious by Scotland.

Evolving Landscape

But the loss of their standing as the rugby's benchmark will persist as an irritation.

Whereas the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the previous decade - securing eighty-seven percent of their fixtures, as well as lifting the Webb Ellis on two occasions - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be seen as when the competitive landscape moved in the global game.

The All Blacks beat the Springboks in their first game of the tournament in the host nation, but it was the South Africans who were eventually successful in Yokohama.

After that event, the New Zealand's winning percentage has dropped to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves were defeated in ten of their subsequent fixtures but, from the beginning of 2023, have won at a rate (eighty-three percent) to compete with even the last great New Zealand team.

Recent Encounters

Throughout the comparable duration, the Springboks have won five of the seven meetings between the sides, including triumph in the 2023 World Cup final.

During their pursuit of their most recent regional title, Rassie Erasmus' side inflicted a historic loss on the New Zealand team thanks to dominant performance in their home ground, a score which has ignited another wave of debate regarding the direction of the team under the coach.

Maybe most jarring for supporters of the All Blacks will be that, combined with their characteristic physicality, South Africa's triumph has come with an offensive flair more commonly connected with their opposition team.

Style Evolution

When the All Blacks were at the peak of their powers 10 years ago, they were a devastating offensive machine able of shredding rivals from any part of the pitch and at any moment of the game.

Today, their attacking style is less defined as their leader, who has awarded numerous first caps during his two years in charge, tries to initially build the fundamental foundations of a successful side.

It has already been confirmed that the assistant coach in charge of offense, their offensive coordinator, will leave his role after the fall series, making him the second member of management team to leave after another coach departed last year after just limited matches.

Team Development

It was not only Robertson's success, but his approach, that was predicted to carry over from previous club when he assumed control after the recent tournament but, as yet, the two aspects continue to be a work in progress.

Organizational Strategy

Following investment group Silver Lake invested capital in New Zealand rugby in recent years, the subsequent announcement discussed the "search of international expansion" for the organization.

That task has maybe been harder by the lack of a global icon. Ardie Savea and the group of Barrett brothers continue to be recognizable personalities in the game, but the distribution of stars has become more diverse. Their leader is the sole New Zealand player to earn international honors in the past six seasons, in comparison to 10 in over a decade between 2005 and '07.

International Growth

Alternatively, attempts have been made to establish the All Blacks into new territories.

The initial stage of this northern hemisphere series brings New Zealand not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a revisit to the location where the Irish team achieved a first ever victory in the contest during past tours.

Following the reduction of pandemic limitations, the New Zealand team have furthermore