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Seeking what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their storied history, the New Zealand side have embarked on their tour at an crucial period.

Matches against Ireland, the Scottish side, England and Wales await Scott Robertson's side across the upcoming weeks but, in addition to the opportunity to match the sides of previous successful tours in the history books, the matches will be used as a benchmark to evaluate the progress of the squad under a leader now two years on from beginning his tenure.

Current Challenges

Questions over a absence of an distinctive approach, enduring debates over player choices and leavings from the backroom staff have all added to the perception that the best-known side in the game is currently one in a state of flux.

Most importantly, it is the decline in performances from a previous peak set between the global tournaments of 2011 and 2019 that has caused some to theorize that we have moved out of the period of Kiwi superiority.

Team Record

Ahead of their journey for the northern hemisphere, it was confirmed that next year, in the absence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will play South Africa in a summer series termed 'an unprecedented series'.

In the past the sport's top competitors, there is clear agreement over who has currently outperformed of what promoters have labeled 'The Ultimate Contest'.

In recent seasons, the Springboks have won a pair of global tournaments, 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 continued to overcome the Irish team when it matters most, overcoming their next challengers in the global competition of recent years. They have, at the same time, lost just a couple of the recent encounters with England, have defeated the Welsh side in all matches since the sixties and have always been victorious by the Scottish team.

Shifting Balance

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

Although the All Blacks dominated through the 2010s - achieving 87% of their international games, as well as winning the global trophy on multiple times - the World Cup of the previous competition can now be seen as when the balance of power shifted in the world sport.

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

From that point, the All Blacks' winning percentage has fallen to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves lost 10 of their following games but, from the beginning of 2023, have won at a percentage (83%) to compete with even the last great New Zealand team.

Recent Encounters

Throughout the equivalent timeframe, the South African team have won the majority of the past fixtures between the opponents, featuring triumph in the 2023 World Cup final.

During their pursuit of their most recent continental championship, South Africa inflicted a significant beating on the All Blacks courtesy of overwhelming display in their home ground, a result which has ignited another round of debate about the direction of the squad under their leader.

Perhaps most concerning for fans of the New Zealand team will be that, combined with their traditional strength, South Africa's success has come with an creative approach more usually associated with their traditional rivals.

Style Evolution

At the time that the All Blacks were at the peak of their abilities in previous eras, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit equipped of shredding opponents from all areas of the playing surface and at all times of the game.

Today, their offensive approach is more ambiguous as the coach, who has given 19 debuts during his 24 months in command, tries to initially build the basic foundations of a successful side.

It has already been confirmed that the backroom staff member overseeing offense, their offensive coordinator, will exit the team after the upcoming matches, making him the additional person of Robertson's ticket to leave after Leon MacDonald departed last year after just limited matches.

Performance Gap

It was not just his winning record, but his style, that was anticipated to carry over from Crusaders when he assumed control after the 2023 World Cup but, to date, each continue to be a continuous improvement.

Commercial Considerations

Following private equity firm Silver Lake bought a stake in All Blacks in recent years, the ensuing statement discussed the "search of international expansion" for the brand.

That objective has possibly been harder by the absence of a global icon. Ardie Savea and the collection of related players remain recognizable personalities in the sport, but the distribution of talented players has never been spread wider. Savea is the only All Black to receive global recognition in the current era, in opposition to ten awards in multiple seasons between the mid-2000s.

Worldwide Reach

Instead, initiatives have been undertaken to transplant the New Zealand team into emerging regions.

The initial stage of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings New Zealand not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a revisit to the stadium where Ireland achieved a first ever victory in the fixture nine years ago.

After the easing of health protocols, the All Blacks have additionally