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Pursuing what would be just a fifth tour victory in their storied history, the All Blacks have traveled to Europe at an crucial period.

Games against Ireland, the Scottish side, the English squad and Wales await the All Blacks across the coming month but, in addition to the chance to join the sides of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the annals of rugby, the matches will be used as a benchmark to measure the development of the squad under a leader now well established from assuming control.

Team Issues

Concerns over a shortage of an distinctive approach, enduring debates over selection and leavings from the management team have all added to the feeling that the best-known side in the sport is now one in a time of change.

Most significantly, it is the decline in performances from a previous peak set between the global tournaments of 2011 and 2019 that has led some to theorize that we have evolved beyond of the era of New Zealand dominance.

Recent History

Before their journey for the northern hemisphere, it was confirmed that in the coming year, in the absence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will meet South Africa in a warm-weather tour termed 'a unique competition'.

Traditionally the game's two strongest sides, there is clear agreement over who has lately dominated of what marketers have labeled 'The Ultimate Contest'.

Over the past seven years, the South African team have won a couple of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a tour against the home nations team to be regarded as the side of their era.

The All Blacks have maintained to beat Ireland when it matters most, beating this weekend's rivals in the tournament knockout stages of the past two tournaments. They have, meanwhile, lost just a pair of the past 21 meetings with England, have defeated Wales in every encounter since over sixty years ago and have remained unbeaten by the Scottish team.

Evolving Landscape

But the decline of their status as the sport's measure of excellence will remain frustrating.

While the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the last ten years - achieving eighty-seven percent of their international games, as well as lifting the global trophy on multiple times - the global tournament of 2019 can now be regarded as when the hierarchical structure shifted in the global game.

New Zealand defeated South Africa in their opening match of the tournament in Japan, but it was the Boks' who were finally victorious in Yokohama.

Since then, the All Blacks' winning percentage has declined to 71%. The Springboks themselves were defeated in ten of their following games but, from the beginning of last year, have achieved victory at a rate (eighty-three percent) to match even the previous All Blacks side.

Recent Encounters

During the equivalent timeframe, the South African team have won the majority of the recent encounters between the opponents, comprising success in the latest global tournament decider.

In claiming their latest continental championship, South Africa delivered a historic loss on the All Blacks courtesy of dominant performance in their home ground, a outcome which has sparked another round of discussion regarding the direction of the team under Robertson.

Perhaps most jarring for supporters of the All Blacks will be that, combined with their traditional strength, South Africa's achievement has come with an creative approach more commonly connected with their traditional rivals.

Playing Philosophy

During the period when the All Blacks were at the zenith of their capabilities in previous eras, they were a clinical transition team able of dismantling rivals from any part of the playing surface and at any moment of the match.

Currently, their offensive approach is unclear as the coach, who has handed out 19 debuts during his 24 months in charge, tries to first establish the basic foundations of a winning team.

It has already been confirmed that the supporting manager responsible for attack, their offensive coordinator, will exit the team after the fall series, becoming the second member of management team to depart after another coach walked away last year after just a handful of games.

Team Development

It was not only his winning record, but his methodology, that was anticipated to translate from his former team when he took over after the global competition but, as yet, both continue to be a ongoing development.

Organizational Strategy

Following investment group investors bought a stake in New Zealand rugby in recent years, the ensuing statement mentioned the "quest of worldwide growth" for the brand.

That objective has perhaps been harder by the lack of a crossover star. Their key player and the trio of related players are still well-known figures in the game, but the spread of key individuals has never been spread wider. Savea is the only All Black to earn global recognition in the current era, in contrast to 10 in 13 years between 2005 and '07.

Global Expansion

Instead, attempts have been undertaken to establish the All Blacks into previously untapped markets.

The first leg of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings New Zealand not to Dublin but the American city, a revisit to the Soldier Field venue where Ireland obtained a first ever victory in the contest nine years ago.

Following the easing of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the All Blacks have furthermore