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Aiming for what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their storied history, the All Blacks have traveled to Europe at an crucial period.

Fixtures against the Irish team, Scotland, England and the Welsh team await the All Blacks across the next four weekends but, beyond the chance to join the sides of previous successful tours in the history books, the fixtures will be used as a yardstick to measure the progress of the squad under a head coach now 24 months into from taking up the reins.

Current Challenges

Doubts over a shortage of an identifiable style, ongoing discussions over player choices and departures from the management team have all contributed to the perception that the most famous squad in the game is presently one in a state of flux.

Most pertinently, it is the decline in outcomes from a historic high watermark set between the World Cups of 2011 and 2019 that has caused some to suggest that we have transitioned away of the age of Kiwi superiority.

Past Performance

Before their journey for the northern hemisphere, it was revealed that during the following season, in the absence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will play the Springboks in a warm-weather tour dubbed 'a tour like no other'.

Historically the rugby's premier teams, there is no question over who has currently outperformed of what organizers have called 'The Ultimate Contest'.

Over the past seven years, the South African team have secured a couple of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a series against the home nations team to be regarded as the team of their period.

The All Blacks have continued to beat the Irish team when it is crucial, overcoming Saturday's opponents in the global competition of the past two tournaments. They have, at the same time, lost just a couple of the last fixtures with England, have defeated Wales in every encounter since the sixties and have remained unbeaten by Scotland.

Evolving Landscape

But the diminishment of their position as the sport's measure of excellence will continue to rankle.

Whereas the All Blacks reigned supreme through the last ten years - achieving eighty-seven percent of their Test matches, as well as claiming the World Cup on multiple times - the World Cup of the previous competition can now be seen as when the hierarchical structure changed in the global game.

New Zealand beat the Springboks in their opening match of the tournament in the host nation, but it was the South Africans who were finally victorious in the championship match.

Since then, the All Blacks' success rate has dropped to 71%. South Africa themselves were defeated in ten of their following games but, commencing of last year, have achieved victory at a rate (eighty-three percent) to rival even the last great New Zealand team.

Head-to-Head

During the equivalent timeframe, the Springboks have secured victory in five of the seven meetings between the sides, including success in the latest global tournament decider.

In claiming their most recent southern hemisphere crown, South Africa delivered a record 43-10 defeat on the New Zealand team thanks to overwhelming display in the capital, a result which has ignited another series of controversy regarding the progress of the team under the coach.

Maybe most concerning for followers of the All Blacks will be that, allied to their characteristic physicality, the Springboks' achievement has come with an attacking verve more usually associated with their own side.

Team Identity

During the period when the All Blacks were at the zenith of their powers 10 years ago, they were a clinical transition team equipped of destroying competitors from every section of the field and at any point of the match.

Now, their offensive approach is more ambiguous as Robertson, who has given numerous first caps during his two years in command, tries to initially build the more prosaic foundations of a successful side.

It has recently revealed that the supporting manager overseeing scoring, the current coach, will exit the team after the autumn tour, becoming the next individual of Robertson's ticket to depart after another coach departed last year after just limited matches.

Team Development

It was not just his winning record, but his approach, that was expected to transfer from his former team when he assumed control after the global competition but, so far, each are still a ongoing development.

Business Factors

After financial organization the company bought a stake in All Blacks in the past, the ensuing statement spoke of the "quest of international expansion" for the brand.

That goal has perhaps been harder by the shortage of a global icon. Their key player and the group of related players are still well-known figures in the rugby, but the spread of key individuals has expanded significantly. The captain is the single All Black to win international honors in the current era, in opposition to ten awards in 13 years between previous generations.

Global Expansion

Alternatively, initiatives have been made to establish the New Zealand team into new territories.

The opening phase of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings New Zealand not to the Irish capital but the American city, a revisit to the Soldier Field venue where the Irish team obtained a landmark success in the contest during past tours.

Following the easing of pandemic limitations, the All Blacks have furthermore