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Aiming for what would be just a fifth tour victory in their storied history, the New Zealand side have embarked on their tour at an interesting juncture.

Games against the Irish team, the Scottish side, England and Wales await the All Blacks across the next four weekends but, in addition to the opportunity to equal the squads of previous successful tours in the record books, the games will be used as a measure to measure the improvement of the side under a leader now well established from taking up the reins.

Team Issues

Concerns over a lack of an clear playing identity, enduring debates over selection and departures from the management team have all fueled the sense that the best-known side in the sport is presently one in a state of flux.

Most importantly, it is the drop in results from a past excellence set between the World Cups of the last decade that has led some to theorize that we have transitioned away of the era of All Black exceptionalism.

Recent History

Before their travel for the fall series, it was revealed that next year, in the non-existence of the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks will meet South Africa in a off-season matches dubbed 'an unprecedented series'.

Historically the rugby's premier teams, there is no question over who has currently outperformed of what organizers have labeled 'The Premier Rivalry'.

During the last decade, the South African team have won a two of World Cups, three southern hemisphere titles and a series against the British and Irish Lions to be viewed as the side of their period.

The All Blacks have persisted to overcome Ireland when it counts most, overcoming Saturday's opponents in the World Cup quarter finals of the past two tournaments. They have, additionally, been defeated in just two of the last fixtures with the English team, have defeated the Welsh side in each game since the sixties and have remained unbeaten by Scotland.

Evolving Landscape

But the loss of their position as the game's gold standard will remain frustrating.

While the All Blacks excelled through the 2010s - securing eighty-seven percent of their international games, as well as lifting the global trophy on several instances - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be regarded as when the balance of power shifted in the global game.

New Zealand beat the Springboks in their first game of the tournament in Japan, but it was the Boks' who were ultimately triumphant in the championship match.

From that point, the New Zealand's winning percentage has dropped to 71%. South Africa themselves were defeated in ten of their subsequent fixtures but, from the beginning of last year, have achieved victory at a rate (83%) to compete with even the former Kiwi champions.

Direct Competition

During the comparable duration, the Springboks have secured victory in five of the past fixtures between the sides, comprising triumph in the latest global tournament decider.

While securing their latest continental championship, the Springboks delivered a significant beating on the All Blacks through dominant performance in the capital, a score which has triggered another series of discussion concerning the progress of the squad under their leader.

Perhaps most concerning for followers of the New Zealand team will be that, combined with their usual power, South Africa's achievement has come with an attacking verve more usually associated with their own side.

Style Evolution

When the New Zealand team were at the zenith of their powers 10 years ago, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit equipped of shredding rivals from all areas of the pitch and at all times of the game.

Currently, their playing philosophy is less defined as their leader, who has awarded multiple new players during his 24 months in command, tries to primarily create the more prosaic core elements of a successful side.

It has previously announced that the backroom staff member responsible for scoring, the current coach, will exit the team after the fall series, becoming the additional person of management team to depart after Leon MacDonald left last year after just five Tests.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not only his winning record, but his approach, that was anticipated to carry over from previous club when he began his tenure after the 2023 World Cup but, as yet, the two aspects remain a work in progress.

Commercial Considerations

After private equity firm the company invested capital in New Zealand rugby in the past, the ensuing statement mentioned the "quest of international expansion" for the brand.

That goal has perhaps been more difficult by the lack of a global icon. Ardie Savea and the group of related players remain recognizable personalities in the game, but the concentration of talented players has become more diverse. The captain is the sole New Zealand player to earn global recognition in the current era, in opposition to ten awards in multiple seasons between the mid-2000s.

Worldwide Reach

Instead, initiatives have been made 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 Chicago, a revisit to the Soldier Field venue where Ireland achieved a historic win in the match in previous seasons.

After the relaxation of health protocols, the All Blacks have also