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Pursuing what would be just a fifth northern hemisphere clean sweep in their legendary past, the New Zealand side have headed north at an interesting juncture.

Games against Ireland, the Scottish side, England and the Welsh team await Scott Robertson's side across the coming month but, quite aside from the opportunity to equal the teams of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the record books, the matches will be used as a benchmark to measure the development of the team under a leader now 24 months into from taking up the reins.

Current Challenges

Concerns over a shortage of an distinctive approach, ongoing discussions over team picks and departures from the coaching ticket have all fueled the feeling that the best-known side in the sport is presently one in a time of change.

Most importantly, it is the drop in results from a historic high watermark set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has led some to theorize that we have transitioned away of the era of All Black exceptionalism.

Recent History

Ahead of their travel for the northern hemisphere, it was announced that in the coming year, in the non-existence of the Rugby Championship, New Zealand will play South Africa in a summer series termed 'an unprecedented series'.

Historically the sport's top competitors, there is no question over who has recently got the better of what marketers have called 'The Premier Rivalry'.

During the last decade, the Springboks have claimed a two of global tournaments, three Rugby Championships and a competition against the British and Irish Lions to be considered as the squad of their era.

New Zealand have maintained to defeat Ireland when it counts most, defeating their next challengers in the World Cup quarter finals of recent years. They have, additionally, been defeated in just a couple of the past 21 meetings with England, have overcome Wales in all matches since the sixties and have remained unbeaten by the Scottish team.

Evolving Landscape

But the diminishment of their standing as the game's gold standard will remain frustrating.

Although the All Blacks reigned supreme 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 balance of power changed in the international rugby.

New Zealand overcame the Springboks in their opening match of the competition in Japan, but it was the South Africans who were ultimately triumphant in the final.

Since then, the All Blacks' winning percentage has declined to seventy-one percent. South Africa themselves lost 10 of their next 26 Test matches but, commencing of 2023, have achieved victory at a percentage (83%) to rival even the former Kiwi champions.

Recent Encounters

Throughout the same period, the South African team have won five of the seven meetings between the teams, featuring success in the 2023 World Cup final.

In claiming their current regional title, South Africa delivered a significant beating on the All Blacks courtesy of dominant performance in their home ground, a score which has triggered another wave of controversy about the direction of the squad under the coach.

Possibly most jarring for supporters of the New Zealand team will be that, allied to their usual power, the Springboks' triumph has come with an offensive flair more usually associated with their own side.

Team Identity

When the New Zealand team were at the peak of their capabilities in previous eras, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit capable of dismantling opponents from all areas of the playing surface and at any moment of the contest.

Currently, their offensive approach is unclear as their leader, who has given numerous first caps during his two years in command, tries to initially build the basic foundations of a competitive squad.

It has already been confirmed that the supporting manager responsible for attack, Jason Holland, will leave his role after the fall series, making him the second member of the coaching staff to exit after Leon MacDonald departed last year after just five Tests.

Team Development

It was not merely his winning record, but his methodology, that was anticipated to carry over from his former team when he assumed control after the recent tournament but, to date, both continue to be a work in progress.

Organizational Strategy

When private equity firm investors invested capital in All Blacks in recent years, the ensuing statement discussed the "quest of international expansion" for the brand.

That task has perhaps been more difficult by the lack of a global icon. Ardie Savea and the collection of family members remain household names in the sport, but the concentration of stars has never been spread wider. Savea is the only All Black to receive World Player of the Year in the current era, in opposition to ten awards in over a decade between the mid-2000s.

Worldwide Reach

Alternatively, initiatives have been undertaken to introduce the All Blacks into new territories.

The opening phase of this northern hemisphere series brings New Zealand not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a comeback to the stadium where Ireland secured a historic win in the contest during past tours.

Following the relaxation of pandemic limitations, the New Zealand team have additionally