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Aiming for what would be just a fifth tour victory in their legendary past, the All Blacks have traveled to Europe at an crucial period.

Games against Ireland, Scotland, the English squad and the Welsh team await the All Blacks across the next four weekends but, beyond the chance to join the teams of previous successful tours in the record books, the matches will be used as a benchmark to evaluate the progress of the team under a manager now 24 months into from taking up the reins.

Current Challenges

Doubts over a shortage of an distinctive approach, enduring debates over team picks and exits from the backroom staff have all fueled the perception that the most recognisable team in the rugby is currently one in a period of transition.

Most importantly, it is the drop in outcomes from a historic high watermark set between the global tournaments of 2011 and 2019 that has caused some to theorize that we have transitioned away of the period of New Zealand dominance.

Past Performance

Before their journey for the northern hemisphere, it was confirmed that in the coming year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will play the Springboks in a warm-weather tour dubbed 'an unprecedented series'.

In the past the sport's top competitors, there is no question over who has lately dominated of what organizers have labeled 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.

In recent seasons, the Springboks have won a two of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a series against the northern hemisphere selection to be considered as the team of their generation.

The All Blacks have maintained to beat the Irish team when it is crucial, overcoming Saturday's opponents in the global competition of the past two tournaments. They have, meanwhile, lost just two of the past 21 meetings with England, have overcome Wales in each game since the sixties and have always been victorious by the Scottish team.

Changing Dynamics

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

Although the New Zealand team excelled through the 2010s - winning 87% of their international games, as well as lifting the global trophy on several instances - the global tournament of 2019 can now be regarded as when the hierarchical structure changed in the world sport.

New Zealand beat the Springboks in their opening match of the competition in Japan, but it was the South Africans who were eventually successful in the final.

Since then, the All Blacks' winning percentage has fallen to 71%. The Springboks themselves were defeated in 10 of their subsequent fixtures but, commencing of 2023, have achieved victory at a rate (eighty-three percent) to rival even the previous All Blacks side.

Head-to-Head

Over the equivalent timeframe, the 'Boks have won five of the past fixtures between the teams, including triumph in the recent championship match.

In claiming their most recent regional title, South Africa administered a significant beating on the All Blacks courtesy of overwhelming display in Wellington, a result which has sparked another round of controversy about the development of the team under the coach.

Maybe most jarring for supporters of the New Zealand team will be that, alongside their traditional strength, South Africa's success has come with an creative approach more typically linked with their traditional rivals.

Playing Philosophy

At the time that the All Blacks were at the height of their powers a decade past, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit capable of dismantling competitors from any part of the playing surface and at all times of the match.

Currently, their attacking style is less defined as their leader, who has awarded numerous first caps during his recent tenure in charge, tries to primarily create the basic building blocks of a successful side.

It has previously announced that the assistant coach responsible for offense, Jason Holland, will depart his position after the upcoming matches, making him the additional person of management team to depart after previous staff member departed last year after just five Tests.

Team Development

It was not just previous achievements, but his approach, that was expected to translate from previous club when he assumed control after the 2023 World Cup but, so far, each continue to be a ongoing development.

Organizational Strategy

Following financial organization Silver Lake bought a stake in All Blacks in the past, the following communication spoke of the "quest of international expansion" for the team.

That objective has maybe been more difficult by the absence of a global icon. Their key player and the trio of Barrett brothers continue to be well-known figures in the game, but the spread of key individuals has become more diverse. Savea is the only All Black to receive global recognition in the recent years, in comparison to ten awards in 13 years between 2005 and '07.

International Growth

Alternatively, efforts have been made to establish the New Zealand team into previously untapped markets.

The initial stage of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but the American city, a comeback to the Soldier Field venue where the Irish team secured a first ever victory in the fixture in previous seasons.

Since the reduction of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the New Zealand team have also