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Aiming for what would be just a fifth tour victory in their storied history, the All Blacks have embarked on their tour at an interesting juncture.

Matches against Ireland, the Scottish side, the English squad and Wales await Scott Robertson's side across the next four weekends but, beyond the possibility to match the teams of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the record books, the matches will be used as a yardstick to measure the development of the team under a head coach now 24 months into from beginning his tenure.

Present Difficulties

Doubts over a shortage of an clear playing identity, continuing controversies over selection and departures from the backroom staff have all contributed to the sense that the most famous squad in the rugby is presently one in a state of flux.

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

Past Performance

Before their journey for the fall series, it was announced that in the coming year, in the absence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will play the Springboks in a off-season matches dubbed 'a tour like no other'.

Historically the game's two strongest sides, there is no question over who has lately dominated of what organizers have labeled 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.

Over the past seven years, the Springboks have secured a two of global tournaments, three southern hemisphere titles and a competition against the northern hemisphere selection to be considered as the team of their era.

New Zealand have persisted to beat Ireland when it is crucial, overcoming Saturday's opponents in the tournament knockout stages of 2019 and '23. They have, meanwhile, lost just a couple of the past 21 meetings with the English team, have defeated the Welsh side in each game since 1963 and have remained unbeaten by Scotland.

Evolving Landscape

But the diminishment of their standing as the rugby's benchmark will persist as an irritation.

Whereas the New Zealand team dominated through the previous decade - winning 87% of their Test matches, as well as lifting the global trophy on two occasions - the World Cup of the previous competition can now be regarded as when the balance of power shifted in the international rugby.

New Zealand overcame South Africa in their first game of the championship in Japan, but it was the South Africans who were eventually successful in Yokohama.

After that event, the All Blacks' victory ratio has dropped to 71%. South Africa themselves lost 10 of their next 26 Test matches but, commencing of 2023, have won at a frequency (83%) to match even the former Kiwi champions.

Head-to-Head

Throughout the equivalent timeframe, the 'Boks have secured victory in the majority of the seven meetings between the opponents, comprising triumph in the recent championship match.

While securing their current regional title, the Springboks administered a record 43-10 defeat on the All Blacks courtesy of overwhelming display in the capital, a score which has ignited another round of controversy regarding the direction of the squad under their leader.

Possibly most concerning for fans of the New Zealand team will be that, alongside their traditional strength, South Africa's triumph has come with an offensive flair more usually associated with their traditional rivals.

Team Identity

When the All Blacks were at the height of their abilities a decade past, they were a devastating offensive machine able of shredding competitors from every section of the pitch and at any moment of the contest.

Now, their offensive approach is unclear as the coach, who has given 19 debuts during his 24 months in command, tries to first establish the fundamental building blocks of a successful side.

It has already been confirmed that the backroom staff member responsible for offense, Jason Holland, will leave his role after the autumn tour, making him the second member of the coaching staff to depart after another coach departed last year after just limited matches.

Team Development

It was not merely previous achievements, but his methodology, that was anticipated to translate from previous club when he assumed control after the recent tournament but, to date, each continue to be a ongoing development.

Organizational Strategy

When private equity firm the company invested capital in New Zealand rugby in 2022, the following communication spoke of the "quest of international expansion" for the brand.

That goal has maybe been harder by the absence of a international celebrity. Ardie Savea and the group of Barrett brothers remain recognizable personalities in the sport, but the concentration of key individuals has never been spread wider. The captain is the only New Zealand player to win global recognition in the past six seasons, in comparison to ten awards in 13 years between the mid-2000s.

Global Expansion

Alternatively, efforts have been made to introduce the All Blacks into emerging regions.

The opening phase of this northern hemisphere series brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but the American city, a revisit to the Soldier Field venue where Ireland obtained a historic win in the match during past tours.

After the reduction of pandemic limitations, the New Zealand team have also