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Aiming for what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their legendary past, the All Blacks have headed north at an interesting juncture.

Matches against the Irish team, the Scottish side, England and Wales await the All Blacks across the next four weekends but, beyond the possibility to match the sides of previous successful tours in the annals of rugby, the fixtures will be used as a benchmark to evaluate the progress of the squad under a manager now well established from beginning his tenure.

Current Challenges

Doubts over a shortage of an clear playing identity, ongoing discussions over selection and departures from the coaching ticket have all contributed to the sense that the most recognisable team in the sport is currently one in a state of flux.

Most significantly, it is the drop in performances from a historic high watermark set between the global tournaments of 2011 and 2019 that has led some to theorize that we have moved out of the age of Kiwi superiority.

Team Record

Prior to their travel for the European tour, it was confirmed that in the coming year, in the absence of the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks will play South Africa in a off-season matches dubbed 'an unprecedented series'.

Historically the game's two strongest sides, there is clear agreement over who has lately dominated of what marketers have called 'The Premier Rivalry'.

In recent seasons, the Springboks have claimed a two of global tournaments, three southern hemisphere titles and a tour against the home nations team to be regarded as the team of their era.

The All Blacks have continued to beat Ireland when it is crucial, beating their next challengers in the World Cup quarter finals of recent years. They have, at the same time, been defeated in just a pair of the past 21 meetings with the English team, have beaten Wales in each game since 1963 and have always been victorious by Scotland.

Changing Dynamics

But the loss of their status as the rugby's benchmark will remain frustrating.

While the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the previous decade - achieving 87% of their fixtures, as well as lifting the World Cup on two occasions - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be seen as when the hierarchical structure changed in the international rugby.

New Zealand beat the Springboks in their opening match of the championship in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were eventually successful in the championship match.

From that point, the New Zealand's victory ratio has declined to seventy-one percent. South Africa themselves lost ten of their following games but, since the start of last year, have won at a percentage (83%) to compete with even the former Kiwi champions.

Direct Competition

Throughout the same period, the 'Boks have won the majority of the recent encounters between the opponents, comprising triumph in the latest global tournament decider.

During their pursuit of their latest southern hemisphere crown, South Africa delivered a record 43-10 defeat on the All Blacks courtesy of overwhelming display in the capital, a score which has triggered another wave of discussion regarding the development of the side under the coach.

Possibly most concerning for fans of the All Blacks will be that, allied to their characteristic physicality, South Africa's success has come with an attacking verve more commonly connected with their opposition team.

Style Evolution

When the New Zealand team were at the peak of their capabilities a decade past, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit equipped of shredding rivals from any part of the pitch and at any moment of the contest.

Today, their offensive approach is unclear as the coach, who has awarded numerous first caps during his 24 months in charge, tries to primarily create the basic core elements of a successful side.

It has previously announced that the backroom staff member in charge of scoring, the current coach, will leave his role after the autumn tour, making him the next individual of management team to exit after another coach left last year after just limited matches.

Performance Gap

It was not just his winning record, but his approach, that was anticipated to transfer from Crusaders when he took over after the 2023 World Cup but, as yet, the two aspects are still a ongoing development.

Business Factors

When investment group Silver Lake bought a stake in All Blacks in 2022, the ensuing statement mentioned the "search of worldwide growth" for the team.

That task has maybe been harder by the shortage of a crossover star. Their key player and the trio of related players remain household names in the sport, but the spread of stars has become more diverse. Savea is the only New Zealand player to receive World Player of the Year in the recent years, in contrast to 10 in over a decade between 2005 and '07.

International Growth

Alternatively, attempts have been undertaken to introduce the All Blacks into previously untapped markets.

The opening phase of this northern hemisphere series brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but the American city, a return to the stadium where Ireland achieved a first ever victory in the fixture during past tours.

Following the easing of health protocols, the New Zealand team have additionally