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Aiming for what would be just a fifth northern hemisphere clean sweep in their legendary past, the New Zealand side have headed north at an crucial period.

Fixtures against the Irish team, Scotland, England and the Welsh team await the All Blacks across the upcoming weeks but, in addition to the chance to join the teams of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the annals of rugby, the matches will be used as a benchmark to measure the improvement of the team under a leader now well established from taking up the reins.

Present Difficulties

Questions over a absence of an identifiable style, ongoing discussions over selection and exits from the management team have all contributed to the perception that the most recognisable team in the sport is now one in a time of change.

Most pertinently, it is the dip in results from a previous peak set between the World Cups of 2011 and 2019 that has led some to theorize that we have transitioned away of the era of New Zealand dominance.

Team Record

Before their departure for the northern hemisphere, it was announced that next year, in the non-existence of the Rugby Championship, New Zealand will meet South Africa 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 called 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.

Over the past seven years, the South African team have won a pair of global tournaments, three southern hemisphere titles and a series against the northern hemisphere selection to be viewed as the side of their era.

New Zealand have continued to beat Ireland when it is crucial, overcoming this weekend's rivals in the tournament knockout stages of the past two tournaments. They have, additionally, lost just a couple of the past 21 meetings with the English team, have defeated Wales in each game since 1963 and have never suffered defeat by the Scottish team.

Changing Dynamics

But the decline of their position as the sport's measure of excellence will persist as an irritation.

While the All Blacks reigned supreme through the previous decade - winning 87% of their international games, as well as lifting the World Cup on several instances - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be regarded as when the hierarchical structure shifted in the world sport.

New Zealand overcame the Springboks in their initial fixture of the competition in Japan, but it was the South Africans who were ultimately triumphant in the championship match.

From that point, the All Blacks' success rate has declined to seventy-one percent. South Africa themselves were defeated in ten of their following games but, since the start of 2023, have achieved victory at a frequency (83%) to rival even the former Kiwi champions.

Recent Encounters

Over the comparable duration, the South African team have won the majority of the past fixtures between the sides, comprising victory in the recent championship match.

During their pursuit of their current regional title, the Springboks inflicted a record 43-10 defeat on the All Blacks courtesy of overwhelming display in Wellington, a result which has triggered another wave of controversy about the development of the squad under Robertson.

Perhaps most concerning for followers of the New Zealand team will be that, allied to their usual power, the Springboks' success has come with an offensive flair more commonly connected with their traditional rivals.

Team Identity

When the All Blacks were at the height of their capabilities 10 years ago, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit capable of shredding rivals from any part of the field and at any point of the contest.

Today, their playing philosophy is unclear as their leader, who has given numerous first caps during his two years in charge, tries to first establish the basic building blocks of a competitive squad.

It has recently revealed that the backroom staff member overseeing offense, Jason Holland, will leave his role after the autumn tour, becoming the second member of Robertson's ticket to depart after another coach departed last year after just limited matches.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not merely Robertson's success, but his approach, that was predicted to carry over from Crusaders when he began his tenure after the global competition but, to date, both continue to be a work in progress.

Organizational Strategy

When investment group the company bought a stake in New Zealand rugby in 2022, the subsequent announcement spoke of the "pursuit of international expansion" for the organization.

That goal has perhaps been more challenging by the shortage of a international celebrity. Their key player and the collection of family members are still well-known figures in the game, but the distribution of stars has expanded significantly. Their leader is the single All Black to earn World Player of the Year in the current era, in contrast to 10 in multiple seasons between the mid-2000s.

International Growth

Rather, attempts have been made to introduce the New Zealand team into new territories.

The first leg of this European campaign brings New Zealand not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a return to the Soldier Field venue where the Irish team secured a first ever victory in the fixture during past tours.

After the reduction of health protocols, the New Zealand team have additionally