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Pursuing what would be just a fifth northern hemisphere clean sweep in their storied history, the New Zealand side have traveled to Europe at an crucial period.

Fixtures against the Irish team, the Scottish side, England and Wales await the New Zealand team across the coming month but, quite aside from the opportunity to equal the squads of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the record books, the matches will be used as a benchmark to measure the development of the squad under a head coach now 24 months into from taking up the reins.

Current Challenges

Concerns over a shortage of an identifiable style, continuing controversies over selection and exits from the backroom staff have all contributed to the sense that the most recognisable team in the game is now one in a period of transition.

Most pertinently, it is the dip in outcomes from a past excellence set between the global tournaments of 2011 and 2019 that has caused some to theorize that we have transitioned away of the era of New Zealand dominance.

Team Record

Ahead of their journey for the fall series, it was confirmed that during the following season, in the absence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will face the Springboks in a off-season matches termed 'a unique competition'.

Traditionally the sport's top competitors, there is no question over who has lately dominated of what promoters have described 'The Ultimate Contest'.

In recent seasons, the Springboks have claimed a couple of World Cups, three southern hemisphere titles and a tour against the northern hemisphere selection to be regarded as the side of their generation.

New Zealand have continued to defeat the Irish team when it is crucial, overcoming their next challengers in the World Cup quarter finals of recent years. They have, additionally, been defeated in just a couple of the recent encounters with England, have defeated the Welsh side in each game since over sixty years ago and have always been victorious by Scotland.

Changing Dynamics

But the decline of their standing as the sport's measure of excellence will continue to rankle.

Whereas the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the 2010s - winning eighty-seven percent of their international games, as well as winning the global trophy on multiple times - the World Cup of the previous competition can now be seen as when the hierarchical structure shifted in the world sport.

The All Blacks beat South Africa in their opening match of the championship in Japan, but it was the South Africans who were finally victorious in Yokohama.

After that event, the New Zealand's victory ratio has dropped to 71%. South Africa themselves lost ten of their subsequent fixtures but, commencing of last year, have won at a frequency (83%) to compete with even the former Kiwi champions.

Direct Competition

During the same period, the South African team have won the majority of the seven meetings between the sides, featuring victory in the 2023 World Cup final.

During their pursuit of their latest regional title, the Springboks administered a historic loss on the All Blacks courtesy of dominant performance in their home ground, a result which has sparked another series of controversy regarding the progress of the squad under Robertson.

Maybe most jarring for fans of the New Zealand team will be that, allied to their traditional strength, South Africa's triumph has come with an attacking verve more commonly connected with their own side.

Style Evolution

At the time that the New Zealand team were at the zenith of their capabilities in previous eras, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit equipped of shredding competitors from every section of the field and at any moment of the game.

Today, their playing philosophy is unclear as the coach, who has handed out 19 debuts during his recent tenure in charge, tries to primarily create the basic building blocks of a competitive squad.

It has already been confirmed that the supporting manager in charge of scoring, their offensive coordinator, will exit the team after the fall series, making him the second member of the coaching staff to leave after another coach walked away last year after just limited matches.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not only previous achievements, but his approach, that was anticipated to carry over from his former team when he began his tenure after the recent tournament but, to date, the two aspects continue to be a ongoing development.

Business Factors

Following investment group investors acquired shares in New Zealand rugby in recent years, the ensuing statement mentioned the "search of international expansion" for the team.

That goal has possibly been more challenging by the shortage of a international celebrity. The current captain and the collection of related players continue to be household names in the rugby, but the distribution of stars has become more diverse. Savea is the sole All Black to earn global recognition in the past six seasons, in comparison to ten awards in multiple seasons between 2005 and '07.

Global Expansion

Rather, efforts have been undertaken to introduce the All Blacks into new territories.

The opening phase of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but the American city, a comeback to the stadium where Ireland achieved a historic win in the match nine years ago.

After the relaxation of pandemic limitations, the New Zealand team have also