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Pursuing what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their illustrious legacy, the New Zealand side have headed north at an interesting juncture.

Matches against the Irish team, Scotland, England and the Welsh team await Scott Robertson's side across the next four weekends but, quite aside from the opportunity to join the squads of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the annals of rugby, the fixtures will be used as a yardstick to assess the development of the squad under a head coach now two years on from beginning his tenure.

Present Difficulties

Doubts over a lack of an clear playing identity, enduring debates over team picks and exits from the coaching ticket have all fueled the feeling that the most famous squad in the rugby is currently one in a time of change.

Most significantly, it is the dip in performances from a previous peak set between the World Cups of the last decade that has caused some to suggest that we have evolved beyond of the age of All Black exceptionalism.

Past Performance

Ahead of their journey for the northern hemisphere, it was announced that during the following season, in the lack of the southern hemisphere competition, the All Blacks will meet South Africa in a warm-weather tour called 'an unprecedented series'.

Historically the game's two strongest sides, there is no question over who has recently got the better of what promoters have described 'The Premier Rivalry'.

Over the past seven years, the South African team have claimed a pair of World Cups, three southern hemisphere titles and a tour against the British and Irish Lions to be regarded as the team of their period.

New Zealand have maintained to overcome the Irish team when it counts most, beating their next challengers in the tournament knockout stages of the past two tournaments. They have, additionally, been defeated in just two of the last fixtures with the English team, have beaten Wales in each game since 1963 and have always been victorious by Scotland.

Changing Dynamics

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

While the New Zealand team excelled through the 2010s - securing 87% of their fixtures, as well as lifting the World Cup on multiple times - the World Cup of the previous competition can now be seen as when the hierarchical structure changed in the world sport.

The All Blacks beat South Africa in their opening match of the tournament in Japan, but it was the South Africans who were eventually successful in the championship match.

After that event, the All Blacks' victory ratio has dropped to 71%. South Africa themselves lost ten of their subsequent fixtures but, commencing of 2023, have won at a percentage (83%) to compete with even the previous All Blacks side.

Direct Competition

Throughout the equivalent timeframe, the 'Boks have won five of the seven meetings between the teams, including success in the latest global tournament decider.

While securing their latest regional title, Rassie Erasmus' side delivered a historic loss on the New Zealand team courtesy of 36 unanswered second-half points in their home ground, a score which has ignited another series of controversy concerning the direction of the side under Robertson.

Possibly most jarring for followers of the All Blacks will be that, alongside their usual power, the Springboks' achievement has come with an attacking verve more usually associated with their opposition team.

Playing Philosophy

During the period when the All Blacks were at the height of their powers 10 years ago, they were a devastating offensive machine capable of dismantling competitors from every section of the pitch and at any point of the match.

Today, their offensive approach is unclear as their leader, who has given 19 debuts during his 24 months in control, tries to initially build the fundamental core elements of a winning team.

It has already been confirmed that the assistant coach in charge of attack, their offensive coordinator, will depart his position after the upcoming matches, becoming the second member of the coaching staff to depart after another coach departed last year after just five Tests.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not only his winning record, but his style, that was predicted to carry over from previous club when he assumed control after the recent tournament but, as yet, both continue to be a work in progress.

Commercial Considerations

When private equity firm the company invested capital in All Blacks in 2022, the following communication mentioned the "search of worldwide growth" for the brand.

That objective has maybe been more difficult by the shortage of a international celebrity. Ardie Savea and the collection of family members are still well-known figures in the sport, but the concentration of talented players has become more diverse. Their leader is the only All Black to earn World Player of the Year in the past six seasons, in comparison to ten awards in multiple seasons between 2005 and '07.

International Growth

Alternatively, efforts have been made to establish the All Blacks into previously untapped markets.

The opening phase of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings New Zealand not to the Irish capital but the American city, a return to the stadium where the Irish team achieved a historic win in the fixture during past tours.

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