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Aiming for what would be just a fifth tour victory in their legendary past, the All Blacks have embarked on their tour at an crucial period.

Games against the Irish team, Scotland, England and Wales await Scott Robertson's side across the upcoming weeks but, quite aside from the possibility to match the teams of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the history books, the matches will be used as a measure to assess the progress of the side under a leader now well established from beginning his tenure.

Team Issues

Doubts over a shortage of an clear playing identity, continuing controversies over team picks and departures from the backroom staff have all fueled the perception that the best-known side in the sport is currently one in a time of change.

Most importantly, it is the drop in performances from a historic high watermark set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has prompted some to theorize that we have moved out of the age of All Black exceptionalism.

Recent History

Before their travel for the fall series, it was revealed that during the following season, in the absence of the southern hemisphere competition, the All Blacks will face South Africa in a off-season matches called 'a unique competition'.

In the past the game's two strongest sides, there is no question over who has lately dominated of what organizers have described 'The Premier Rivalry'.

Over the past seven years, the Springboks have claimed a two of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a competition against the home nations team to be considered as the squad of their era.

New Zealand have continued to beat Ireland when it is crucial, beating this weekend's rivals in the global competition of recent years. They have, at the same time, lost just two of the last fixtures with the English team, have defeated the Welsh side in each game since over sixty years ago and have never suffered defeat by Scotland.

Evolving Landscape

But the decline of their standing as the rugby's benchmark will remain frustrating.

While the New Zealand team dominated through the last ten years - securing 87% of their fixtures, as well as lifting the Webb Ellis on several instances - the World Cup of 2019 can now be seen as when the hierarchical structure changed in the world sport.

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

Since then, the All Blacks' winning percentage has fallen to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves were defeated in ten of their following games but, from the beginning of 2023, have achieved victory at a percentage (83%) to match even the last great New Zealand team.

Head-to-Head

During the same period, the South African team have secured victory in five of the past fixtures between the sides, featuring triumph in the 2023 World Cup final.

While securing their current continental championship, the Springboks inflicted a record 43-10 defeat on the All Blacks courtesy of overwhelming display in their home ground, a result which has ignited another series of debate concerning the direction of the team under their leader.

Maybe most jarring for followers of the All Blacks will be that, alongside their traditional strength, the Springboks' triumph has come with an creative approach more commonly connected with their opposition team.

Team Identity

When the All Blacks were at the peak of their powers in previous eras, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit equipped of destroying opponents from any part of the field and at any point of the match.

Today, their attacking style is unclear as Robertson, who has given multiple new players during his 24 months in charge, tries to initially build the basic foundations of a successful side.

It has already been confirmed that the backroom staff member overseeing scoring, Jason Holland, will leave his role after the upcoming matches, making him the additional person of the coaching staff to exit after Leon MacDonald departed last year after just five Tests.

Team Development

It was not only his winning record, but his approach, that was predicted to translate from Crusaders when he took over after the recent tournament but, as yet, each remain a work in progress.

Business Factors

When investment group Silver Lake bought a stake in All Blacks in recent years, the subsequent announcement mentioned the "quest of new global opportunities" for the team.

That task has perhaps been more challenging by the absence of a international celebrity. Their key player and the collection of family members are still recognizable personalities in the rugby, but the distribution of stars has expanded significantly. Their leader is the sole All Black to win global recognition in the recent years, in contrast to ten awards in 13 years between 2005 and '07.

Worldwide Reach

Alternatively, initiatives have been made to introduce the All Blacks into emerging regions.

The initial stage of this northern hemisphere series brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a revisit to the stadium where Ireland achieved a first ever victory in the match during past tours.

After the reduction of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the All Blacks have furthermore