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Pursuing what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their storied history, the All Blacks have traveled to Europe at an crucial period.

Games against Ireland, Scotland, the English squad and Wales await the New Zealand team across the coming month but, beyond the possibility to join the squads of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the record books, the games will be used as a yardstick to evaluate the development of the side under a manager now well established from beginning his tenure.

Current Challenges

Doubts over a shortage of an distinctive approach, enduring debates over player choices and exits from the management team have all fueled the perception that the most recognisable team in the game is now one in a period of transition.

Most importantly, it is the dip in outcomes from a previous peak set between the World Cups of 2011 and 2019 that has prompted some to suggest that we have evolved beyond of the era of All Black exceptionalism.

Team Record

Prior to their travel for the fall series, it was revealed that next year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, the All Blacks will meet the Springboks in a warm-weather tour called 'a tour like no other'.

In the past the sport's top competitors, there is no question over who has lately dominated of what marketers have labeled 'The Ultimate Contest'.

During the last decade, the Springboks have claimed a two of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a competition against the northern hemisphere selection to be considered as the side of their period.

New Zealand have persisted to overcome Ireland when it matters most, overcoming this weekend's rivals in the global competition of recent years. They have, meanwhile, been defeated in just a pair of the recent encounters with the English team, have beaten Wales in each game since over sixty years ago and have remained unbeaten by the Scottish team.

Shifting Balance

But the decline of their status as the game's gold standard will continue to rankle.

Although the All Blacks excelled through the last ten years - winning 87% of their international games, as well as lifting the global trophy on two occasions - the World Cup of 2019 can now be seen as when the balance of power shifted in the world sport.

New Zealand defeated South Africa in their first game of the tournament in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were eventually successful in Yokohama.

After that event, the New Zealand's success rate has fallen to seventy-one percent. South Africa themselves lost 10 of their next 26 Test matches but, since the start of last year, have achieved victory at a percentage (83%) to rival even the previous All Blacks side.

Head-to-Head

Over the same period, the South African team have won five of the seven meetings between the teams, including victory in the latest global tournament decider.

While securing their most recent regional title, the Springboks administered a significant beating on the New Zealand team through overwhelming display in the capital, a score which has triggered another series of debate regarding the progress of the side under the coach.

Maybe most concerning for supporters of the All Blacks will be that, combined with their characteristic physicality, the Springboks' success has come with an attacking verve more usually associated with their own side.

Playing Philosophy

At the time that the New Zealand team were at the zenith of their abilities a decade past, they were a devastating offensive machine capable of destroying rivals from every section of the pitch and at all times of the contest.

Now, their attacking style is less defined as Robertson, who has given 19 debuts during his two years in command, tries to primarily create the fundamental core elements of a winning team.

It has previously announced that the supporting manager overseeing attack, the current coach, will exit the team after the fall series, becoming the second member of management team to leave after Leon MacDonald walked away last year after just a handful of games.

Performance Gap

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

Business Factors

Following private equity firm investors bought a stake in New Zealand rugby in the past, the subsequent announcement spoke of the "quest of new global opportunities" for the brand.

That objective has perhaps been more challenging by the lack of a global icon. The current captain and the trio of related players are still well-known figures in the rugby, but the spread of key individuals has expanded significantly. The captain is the only All Black to earn World Player of the Year in the past six seasons, in comparison to 10 in over a decade between the mid-2000s.

Worldwide Reach

Rather, efforts have been undertaken to transplant the New Zealand team into new territories.

The initial stage of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but the American city, a revisit to the Soldier Field venue where Ireland secured a historic win in the match nine years ago.

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