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Seeking what would be just a fifth tour victory in their legendary past, the New Zealand side have embarked on their tour at an crucial period.

Games against Ireland, the Scottish side, the English squad and the Welsh team await the New Zealand team across the next four weekends but, in addition to the opportunity to match the teams of previous successful tours in the record books, the matches will be used as a measure to assess the development of the team under a leader now well established from taking up the reins.

Present Difficulties

Doubts over a shortage of an distinctive approach, ongoing discussions over team picks and exits from the backroom staff have all contributed to the sense that the most famous squad in the rugby is now one in a time of change.

Most importantly, it is the drop in performances from a previous peak set between the World Cups of 2011 and 2019 that has led some to suggest that we have transitioned away of the period of New Zealand dominance.

Team Record

Prior to their departure for the northern hemisphere, it was revealed that during the following season, in the absence of the Rugby Championship, New Zealand will meet South Africa in a summer series dubbed 'a unique competition'.

Traditionally the game's two strongest sides, there is little doubt over who has currently outperformed of what marketers have labeled 'The Ultimate Contest'.

In recent seasons, the Springboks have won a couple of global tournaments, three Rugby Championships and a series against the home nations team to be viewed as the team of their era.

New Zealand have continued to defeat the Irish team when it matters most, overcoming this weekend's rivals in the global competition of the past two tournaments. They have, at the same time, lost just a pair of the last fixtures with England, have overcome Wales in each game since 1963 and have remained unbeaten by the Scottish team.

Evolving Landscape

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

While the All Blacks reigned supreme through the 2010s - securing eighty-seven percent of their international games, as well as winning the Webb Ellis on several instances - the World Cup of 2019 can now be viewed as when the competitive landscape changed in the world sport.

The All Blacks beat the Springboks in their first game of the championship in the host nation, but it was the South Africans who were ultimately triumphant in the championship match.

From that point, the New Zealand's winning percentage has fallen to 71%. The Springboks themselves were defeated in 10 of their subsequent fixtures but, commencing of last year, have achieved victory at a frequency (eighty-three percent) to compete with even the previous All Blacks side.

Recent Encounters

Over the comparable duration, the 'Boks have won the majority of the seven meetings between the teams, comprising victory in the recent championship match.

During their pursuit of their current continental championship, South Africa inflicted a record 43-10 defeat on the New Zealand team courtesy of dominant performance in the capital, a outcome which has ignited another wave of controversy regarding the development of the side under their leader.

Possibly most jarring for fans of the All Blacks will be that, allied to their traditional strength, South Africa's success has come with an creative approach more commonly connected with their own side.

Style Evolution

When the All Blacks were at the peak of their powers in previous eras, they were a clinical transition team able of dismantling rivals from all areas of the field and at all times of the contest.

Now, their offensive approach is more ambiguous as their leader, who has handed out multiple new players during his two years in charge, tries to initially build the fundamental core elements of a competitive squad.

It has previously announced that the assistant coach overseeing attack, their offensive coordinator, will depart his position after the upcoming matches, making him the second member of the coaching staff to exit after previous staff member walked away last year after just limited matches.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not merely his winning record, but his approach, that was predicted to translate from previous club when he took over after the recent tournament but, as yet, both are still a work in progress.

Organizational Strategy

When private equity firm Silver Lake acquired shares in All Blacks in the past, the subsequent announcement mentioned the "pursuit of worldwide growth" for the organization.

That task has perhaps been harder by the absence of a global icon. Their key player and the trio of related players continue to be recognizable personalities in the game, but the distribution of key individuals has become more diverse. Savea is the single New Zealand player to earn international honors in the current era, in opposition to ten awards in 13 years between 2005 and '07.

Worldwide Reach

Alternatively, initiatives have been implemented to transplant the New Zealand team into emerging regions.

The opening phase of this European campaign brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but Chicago, a comeback to the stadium where Ireland achieved a landmark success in the contest nine years ago.

After the relaxation of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the All Blacks have also