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Aiming for what would be just a fifth northern hemisphere clean sweep in their illustrious legacy, the New Zealand side have traveled to Europe at an pivotal moment.

Games against Ireland, the Scottish side, the English squad and the Welsh team await Scott Robertson's side across the upcoming weeks but, beyond the possibility to equal the sides of previous successful tours in the annals of rugby, the fixtures will be used as a measure to evaluate the development of the squad under a leader now 24 months into from beginning his tenure.

Present Difficulties

Concerns over a shortage of an identifiable style, enduring debates over team picks and leavings from the management team have all contributed to the perception that the most recognisable team in the sport is now one in a period of transition.

Most pertinently, it is the decline in results from a historic high watermark set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has led some to suggest that we have evolved beyond of the era of New Zealand dominance.

Recent History

Prior to their journey for the European tour, it was announced that next year, in the lack of the Rugby Championship, New Zealand will play the Springboks in a warm-weather tour termed 'an unprecedented series'.

Traditionally the sport's top competitors, there is little doubt over who has lately dominated of what organizers have labeled 'The Ultimate Contest'.

In recent seasons, the South African team have won a couple of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a tour against the home nations team to be considered as the squad of their generation.

New Zealand have maintained to beat the Irish team when it matters most, defeating their next challengers in the global competition of recent years. They have, at the same time, lost just a pair of the recent encounters with the English team, have defeated Wales in every encounter since over sixty years ago and have never suffered defeat by Scotland.

Changing Dynamics

But the diminishment of their standing as the sport's measure of excellence will persist as an irritation.

Whereas the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the 2010s - achieving eighty-seven percent of their Test matches, as well as winning the World Cup on two occasions - the World Cup of 2019 can now be viewed as when the hierarchical structure changed in the international rugby.

The All Blacks overcame the Springboks in their first game of the competition in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were finally victorious in Yokohama.

From that point, the All Blacks' victory ratio has declined to 71%. South Africa themselves lost ten of their next 26 Test matches but, from the beginning of 2023, have won at a percentage (83%) to rival even the former Kiwi champions.

Head-to-Head

During the equivalent timeframe, the Springboks have won five of the recent encounters between the opponents, comprising success in the latest global tournament decider.

During their pursuit of their current regional title, South Africa delivered a historic loss on the All Blacks through dominant performance in the capital, a outcome which has triggered another wave of debate about the development of the side under Robertson.

Maybe most concerning for fans of the New Zealand team will be that, allied to their characteristic physicality, the Springboks' success has come with an offensive flair more usually associated with their traditional rivals.

Style Evolution

When the New Zealand team were at the peak of their abilities a decade past, they were a clinical transition team capable of destroying competitors from all areas of the playing surface and at all times of the game.

Currently, their offensive approach is less defined as the coach, who has awarded 19 debuts during his 24 months in charge, tries to primarily create the fundamental core elements of a successful side.

It has already been confirmed that the backroom staff member in charge of scoring, the current coach, will depart his position after the fall series, making him the additional person of management team to leave after previous staff member left last year after just five Tests.

Performance Gap

It was not only Robertson's success, but his style, that was anticipated to translate from previous club when he took over after the global competition but, to date, both remain a work in progress.

Business Factors

Following financial organization the company invested capital in New Zealand rugby in the past, the following communication discussed the "quest of new global opportunities" for the brand.

That task has maybe been more difficult by the absence of a global icon. The current captain and the trio of Barrett brothers continue to be recognizable personalities in the sport, but the concentration of key individuals has never been spread wider. Savea is the only New Zealand player to receive international honors in the current era, in comparison to ten awards in over a decade between the mid-2000s.

Worldwide Reach

Alternatively, initiatives have been undertaken to transplant the New Zealand team into previously untapped markets.

The first leg of this northern hemisphere series brings New Zealand not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a comeback to the location where Ireland secured a first ever victory in the contest during past tours.

Since the relaxation of health protocols, the All Blacks have also