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Pursuing what would be just a fifth tour victory in their storied history, the New Zealand side have headed north at an crucial period.

Games against Ireland, the Scottish side, England and Wales await the New Zealand team across the next four weekends but, quite aside from the possibility to equal the sides of previous successful tours in the history books, the games will be used as a measure to assess the development of the squad under a manager now well established from taking up the reins.

Team Issues

Doubts over a shortage of an clear playing identity, continuing controversies over selection and departures from the coaching ticket have all contributed to the feeling that the most famous squad in the rugby is currently one in a period of transition.

Most significantly, it is the decline in outcomes from a past excellence set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has prompted some to speculate that we have transitioned away of the period of All Black exceptionalism.

Team Record

Prior to their departure for the northern hemisphere, it was revealed that in the coming year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will play South Africa in a summer series called 'a tour like no other'.

Traditionally the sport's top competitors, there is no question over who has lately dominated of what marketers have labeled 'The Premier Rivalry'.

In recent seasons, the South African team have won a pair of global tournaments, three southern hemisphere titles and a tour against the home nations team to be considered as the squad of their period.

New Zealand have persisted to overcome the Irish team when it matters most, defeating their next challengers in the tournament knockout stages of 2019 and '23. They have, additionally, been defeated in just a pair of the last fixtures with the English team, have defeated the Welsh side in every encounter since 1963 and have always been victorious by Scotland.

Evolving Landscape

But the loss of their status as the sport's measure of excellence will remain frustrating.

While the New Zealand team dominated through the 2010s - achieving eighty-seven percent of their Test matches, as well as lifting the Webb Ellis on two occasions - the World Cup of 2019 can now be seen as when the balance of power moved in the global game.

The All Blacks overcame the Springboks in their opening match of the championship in the host nation, but it was the South Africans who were finally victorious in Yokohama.

After that event, the All Blacks' success rate has dropped to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves lost 10 of their subsequent fixtures but, commencing of 2023, have achieved victory at a percentage (83%) to match even the last great New Zealand team.

Direct Competition

Over the equivalent timeframe, the South African team have secured victory in five of the seven meetings between the opponents, featuring triumph in the 2023 World Cup final.

In claiming their latest southern hemisphere crown, Rassie Erasmus' side administered a historic loss on the New Zealand team thanks to 36 unanswered second-half points in Wellington, a score which has sparked another series of discussion concerning the progress of the squad under their leader.

Maybe most concerning for fans of the All Blacks will be that, allied to their traditional strength, the Springboks' success has come with an creative approach more typically linked with their own side.

Team Identity

During the period when the New Zealand team were at the height of their capabilities in previous eras, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit equipped of destroying opponents from any part of the playing surface and at any moment of the contest.

Today, their playing philosophy is less defined as Robertson, who has awarded multiple new players during his 24 months in control, tries to initially build the fundamental building blocks of a winning team.

It has already been confirmed that the backroom staff member in charge of offense, their offensive coordinator, will depart his position after the upcoming matches, becoming the next individual of the coaching staff to leave after previous staff member departed last year after just limited matches.

Team Development

It was not merely his winning record, but his approach, that was predicted to translate from his former team when he assumed control after the 2023 World Cup but, to date, each are still a ongoing development.

Business Factors

After investment group Silver Lake bought a stake in New Zealand rugby in 2022, the subsequent announcement mentioned the "quest of international expansion" for the organization.

That task has possibly been more difficult by the absence of a crossover star. The current captain and the collection of Barrett brothers remain household names in the rugby, but the spread of stars has expanded significantly. The captain is the sole New Zealand player to receive global recognition in the current era, in opposition to ten awards in 13 years between 2005 and '07.

International Growth

Instead, initiatives have been implemented to transplant the All Blacks into emerging regions.

The initial stage of this northern hemisphere series brings New Zealand not to Dublin but Chicago, a return to the Soldier Field venue where the Irish team secured a first ever victory in the contest nine years ago.

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