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Seeking what would be just a fifth northern hemisphere clean sweep in their storied history, the All Blacks have traveled to Europe at an pivotal moment.

Matches against Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales await the All Blacks across the next four weekends but, in addition to the opportunity to equal the squads of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the annals of rugby, the games will be used as a yardstick to evaluate the development of the side under a head coach now 24 months into from assuming control.

Current Challenges

Concerns over a shortage of an identifiable style, ongoing discussions over player choices and exits from the management team have all fueled the feeling that the most recognisable team in the game is currently one in a period of transition.

Most significantly, it is the drop in outcomes from a past excellence set between the World Cups of the last decade that has prompted some to theorize that we have moved out of the age of New Zealand dominance.

Team Record

Before their travel for the northern hemisphere, it was revealed that during the following season, in the absence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will meet the Springboks in a summer series called 'a unique competition'.

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

In recent seasons, the South African team have secured a couple of World Cups, three southern hemisphere titles and a series against the British and Irish Lions to be considered as the team of their era.

The All Blacks have continued to defeat the Irish team when it matters most, defeating Saturday's opponents in the global competition of the past two tournaments. They have, meanwhile, lost just two of the last fixtures with the English team, have overcome the Welsh side in each game since 1963 and have always been victorious by the Scottish team.

Changing Dynamics

But the loss of their standing as the sport's measure of excellence will continue to rankle.

Whereas the All Blacks reigned supreme through the previous decade - winning 87% of their Test matches, as well as claiming the Webb Ellis on several instances - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be seen as when the hierarchical structure moved in the global game.

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

After that event, the New Zealand's winning percentage has declined to 71%. South Africa themselves lost ten of their next 26 Test matches but, from the beginning of 2023, have achieved victory at a frequency (83%) to rival even the last great New Zealand team.

Direct Competition

Over the same period, the South African team have secured victory in the majority of the recent encounters between the teams, comprising success in the 2023 World Cup final.

During their pursuit of their latest regional title, Rassie Erasmus' side delivered a historic loss on the All Blacks through 36 unanswered second-half points in their home ground, a score which has sparked another wave of discussion regarding the direction of the side under their leader.

Perhaps most jarring for fans of the All Blacks will be that, combined with their usual power, the Springboks' achievement has come with an creative approach more typically linked with their traditional rivals.

Playing Philosophy

At the time that the All Blacks were at the height of their powers in previous eras, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit able of dismantling rivals from any part of the pitch and at any moment of the game.

Currently, their attacking style is less defined as the coach, who has given numerous first caps during his 24 months in charge, tries to first establish the basic foundations of a competitive squad.

It has recently revealed that the supporting manager responsible for offense, their offensive coordinator, will leave his role after the fall series, becoming the additional person of Robertson's ticket to leave after another coach walked away last year after just limited matches.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not only 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, so far, both remain a work in progress.

Commercial Considerations

Following private equity firm investors acquired shares in All Blacks in 2022, the subsequent announcement mentioned the "pursuit of international expansion" for the team.

That goal has maybe been harder by the absence of a global icon. Their key player and the collection of family members are still well-known figures in the sport, but the distribution of key individuals has become more diverse. Savea is the single All Black to win World Player of the Year in the past six seasons, in contrast to ten awards in multiple seasons between previous generations.

Worldwide Reach

Alternatively, efforts have been implemented to establish the All Blacks into emerging regions.

The opening phase of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but the American city, a return to the Soldier Field venue where Ireland achieved a first ever victory in the fixture nine years ago.

After the reduction of health protocols, the New Zealand team have additionally