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Aiming for what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their illustrious legacy, the New Zealand side have traveled to Europe at an crucial period.

Fixtures against Ireland, the Scottish side, England and the Welsh team await the All Blacks across the next four weekends but, beyond the chance to join the squads of previous successful tours in the history books, the games will be used as a benchmark to assess the development of the side under a head coach now well established from beginning his tenure.

Present Difficulties

Doubts over a lack of an identifiable style, continuing controversies over team picks and leavings from the backroom staff have all added to the perception that the most recognisable team in the sport is currently one in a period of transition.

Most importantly, it is the dip in results from a historic high watermark set between the World Cups of the last decade that has led some to theorize that we have moved out of the period of All Black exceptionalism.

Recent History

Ahead of their journey for the European tour, it was revealed that in the coming year, in the absence of the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks will meet the Springboks in a off-season matches termed 'a unique competition'.

Historically the sport's top competitors, there is clear agreement over who has lately dominated of what promoters have called 'The Premier Rivalry'.

In recent seasons, the Springboks have won a two of global tournaments, three southern hemisphere titles and a series against the British and Irish Lions to be considered as the side of their era.

The All Blacks have maintained to overcome the Irish team when it counts most, overcoming their next challengers in the tournament knockout stages of 2019 and '23. They have, at the same time, been defeated in just a couple of the past 21 meetings with the English team, have beaten the Welsh side in every encounter since 1963 and have never suffered defeat by Scotland.

Evolving Landscape

But the decline of their status as the sport's measure of excellence will continue to rankle.

Although the New Zealand team dominated through the 2010s - achieving eighty-seven percent of their Test matches, as well as claiming the Webb Ellis on multiple times - the World Cup of 2019 can now be regarded as when the balance of power changed in the world sport.

The All Blacks defeated the Springboks in their first game of the competition in Japan, but it was the Boks' who were finally victorious in Yokohama.

From that point, the All Blacks' victory ratio has fallen to 71%. The Springboks themselves were defeated in 10 of their subsequent fixtures but, from the beginning of 2023, have achieved victory at a frequency (83%) to rival even the former Kiwi champions.

Recent Encounters

Over the same period, the 'Boks have secured victory in five of the recent encounters between the teams, featuring triumph in the latest global tournament decider.

In claiming their most recent southern hemisphere crown, Rassie Erasmus' side delivered a significant beating on the New Zealand team thanks to 36 unanswered second-half points in the capital, a outcome which has ignited another wave of debate regarding the progress of the side under their leader.

Possibly most troubling for fans of the New Zealand team will be that, allied to their characteristic physicality, the Springboks' achievement has come with an offensive flair more typically linked with their opposition team.

Playing Philosophy

During the period when the All Blacks were at the peak of their abilities a decade past, they were a devastating offensive machine equipped of destroying competitors from every section of the pitch and at any point of the game.

Today, their attacking style is more ambiguous as Robertson, who has awarded numerous first caps during his two years in command, tries to initially build the fundamental core elements of a winning team.

It has already been confirmed that the supporting manager in charge of scoring, the current coach, will depart his position after the upcoming matches, becoming the next individual of management team to leave after previous staff member walked away last year after just five Tests.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not just Robertson's success, but his style, that was expected to translate from his former team when he took over after the 2023 World Cup but, as yet, both are still a ongoing development.

Business Factors

When private equity firm investors bought a stake in All Blacks in 2022, the ensuing statement mentioned the "search of worldwide growth" for the team.

That task has perhaps been more challenging by the lack of a crossover star. The current captain and the collection of related players continue to be recognizable personalities in the game, but the concentration of stars has expanded significantly. Savea is the sole All Black to receive international honors in the current era, in opposition to ten awards in 13 years between previous generations.

International Growth

Rather, initiatives have been undertaken to introduce the New Zealand team into emerging regions.

The initial stage of this European campaign brings New Zealand not to Dublin but the American city, a comeback to the Soldier Field venue where the Irish team achieved a historic win in the fixture in previous seasons.

After the easing of health protocols, the New Zealand team have also