Can the All Blacks find their winning form during the fall tour?
Pursuing what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their legendary past, the All Blacks have headed north at an crucial period.
Matches against the Irish team, the Scottish side, the English squad and the Welsh team await the All Blacks across the upcoming weeks but, in addition to the opportunity to join the squads of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the annals of rugby, the matches will be used as a yardstick to evaluate the progress of the squad under a head coach now two years on from taking up the reins.
Present Difficulties
Doubts over a lack of an clear playing identity, enduring debates over selection and departures from the management team have all fueled the feeling that the best-known side in the rugby is presently one in a time of change.
Most importantly, it is the dip in outcomes from a past excellence set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has prompted some to speculate that we have evolved beyond of the age of New Zealand dominance.
Recent History
Before their departure for the northern hemisphere, it was revealed that next year, in the lack of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will face the Springboks in a warm-weather tour termed 'a unique competition'.
Traditionally the game's two strongest sides, there is clear agreement over who has currently outperformed of what organizers have labeled 'The Premier Rivalry'.
In recent seasons, the Springboks have claimed a pair of global tournaments, three southern hemisphere titles and a series against the northern hemisphere selection to be regarded as the team of their generation.
The All Blacks have persisted to overcome Ireland when it counts most, beating Saturday's opponents 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 beaten Wales in each game since the sixties and have never suffered defeat by Scotland.
Changing Dynamics
But the diminishment of their standing as the sport's measure of excellence will continue to rankle.
Whereas the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the 2010s - securing eighty-seven percent of their fixtures, as well as claiming the Webb Ellis on several instances - the World Cup of 2019 can now be regarded as when the competitive landscape shifted in the world sport.
The All Blacks defeated the Springboks in their opening match of the tournament in the host nation, but it was the South Africans who were ultimately triumphant in the final.
Since then, the New Zealand's winning percentage has declined to 71%. The Springboks themselves lost 10 of their next 26 Test matches but, commencing of last year, have achieved victory at a percentage (eighty-three percent) to match even the previous All Blacks side.
Head-to-Head
Over the equivalent timeframe, the South African team have won the majority of the past fixtures between the teams, comprising triumph in the latest global tournament decider.
While securing their latest southern hemisphere crown, the Springboks administered a significant beating on the All Blacks through overwhelming display in the capital, a result which has ignited another series of discussion about the progress of the squad under their leader.
Perhaps most jarring for supporters of the All Blacks will be that, combined with their traditional strength, South Africa's success has come with an offensive flair more usually associated with their traditional rivals.
Playing Philosophy
At the time that the All Blacks were at the peak of their powers in previous eras, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit capable of dismantling opponents from any part of the pitch and at any point of the match.
Currently, their attacking style is unclear as Robertson, who has handed out multiple new players during his recent tenure in control, tries to initially build the fundamental foundations of a competitive squad.
It has already been confirmed that the backroom staff member responsible for scoring, Jason Holland, will depart his position after the fall series, making him the additional person of Robertson's ticket to depart after another coach left last year after just a handful of games.
Expectations vs Reality
It was not just his winning record, but his methodology, that was expected to translate from Crusaders when he began his tenure after the 2023 World Cup but, to date, both are still a work in progress.
Business Factors
After private equity firm Silver Lake acquired shares in All Blacks in the past, the following communication discussed the "pursuit of international expansion" for the team.
That objective has perhaps been more difficult by the absence of a global icon. Ardie Savea and the group of family members remain well-known figures in the rugby, but the spread of key individuals has expanded significantly. Their leader is the single All Black to receive global recognition in the recent years, in opposition to 10 in 13 years between the mid-2000s.
International Growth
Alternatively, efforts have been made to transplant the All Blacks into emerging regions.
The initial stage of this northern hemisphere series brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but Chicago, a comeback to the Soldier Field venue where Ireland achieved a landmark success in the fixture in previous seasons.
Since the reduction of pandemic limitations, the New Zealand team have furthermore