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Aiming for what would be just a fifth northern hemisphere clean sweep in their legendary past, the New Zealand side have headed north at an crucial period.

Matches against Ireland, the Scottish side, England and Wales await the All Blacks across the coming month but, quite aside from the opportunity to join the squads of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the record books, the games will be used as a benchmark to evaluate the development of the side under a leader now 24 months into from assuming control.

Present Difficulties

Doubts over a absence of an clear playing identity, continuing controversies over player choices and exits from the backroom staff have all fueled the perception that the most recognisable team in the rugby is currently one in a state of flux.

Most significantly, it is the drop in results from a historic high watermark set between the World Cups of the last decade that has prompted some to suggest that we have transitioned away of the era of All Black exceptionalism.

Recent History

Ahead of their departure for the fall series, it was confirmed that in the coming year, in the absence of the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks will meet the Springboks in a warm-weather tour called 'a tour like no other'.

Traditionally the sport's top competitors, there is no question over who has recently got the better of what organizers have labeled 'The Premier Rivalry'.

During the last decade, the Springboks have claimed a couple of global tournaments, three Rugby Championships and a series against the home nations team to be regarded as the team of their period.

New Zealand have continued to overcome Ireland when it is crucial, defeating Saturday's opponents in the World Cup quarter finals of the past two tournaments. They have, at the same time, been defeated in just two of the recent encounters with the English team, have defeated the Welsh side in every encounter since over sixty years ago and have never suffered defeat by the Scottish team.

Changing Dynamics

But the diminishment of their position as the rugby's benchmark will remain frustrating.

Although the New Zealand team excelled through the 2010s - achieving 87% of their Test matches, as well as claiming the World Cup on two occasions - the World Cup of 2019 can now be regarded as when the competitive landscape changed in the global game.

The All Blacks beat the Springboks in their first game of the competition in Japan, but it was the South Africans who were eventually successful in the final.

After that event, the New Zealand's winning percentage has dropped to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves lost ten of their following games but, from the beginning of 2023, have achieved victory at a rate (eighty-three percent) to compete with even the former Kiwi champions.

Head-to-Head

Over the equivalent timeframe, the 'Boks have secured victory in the majority of the recent encounters between the teams, featuring success in the latest global tournament decider.

While securing their latest southern hemisphere crown, Rassie Erasmus' side delivered a historic loss on the New Zealand team courtesy of dominant performance in the capital, a outcome which has sparked another series of controversy regarding the development of the squad under the coach.

Possibly most jarring for supporters of the New Zealand team will be that, allied to their traditional strength, the Springboks' success has come with an attacking verve more usually associated with their opposition team.

Team Identity

At the time that the All Blacks were at the height of their abilities in previous eras, they were a clinical transition team equipped of destroying competitors from any part of the playing surface and at all times of the game.

Currently, their attacking style is less defined as their leader, who has handed out numerous first caps during his 24 months in command, tries to primarily create the fundamental core elements of a successful side.

It has recently revealed that the assistant coach in charge of attack, their offensive coordinator, will depart his position after the fall series, becoming the next individual of the coaching staff to depart after Leon MacDonald walked away last year after just limited matches.

Performance Gap

It was not only previous achievements, but his style, that was expected to transfer from previous club when he began his tenure after the 2023 World Cup but, as yet, the two aspects continue to be a ongoing development.

Business Factors

When private equity firm the company bought a stake in New Zealand rugby in 2022, the ensuing statement discussed the "search of new global opportunities" for the brand.

That goal has possibly been more difficult by the absence of a crossover star. The current captain and the group of family members continue to be household names in the sport, but the concentration of stars has expanded significantly. Their leader is the only New Zealand player to receive global recognition in the recent years, in comparison to 10 in over a decade between previous generations.

Worldwide Reach

Instead, initiatives have been implemented to introduce the All Blacks into emerging regions.

The first leg of this northern hemisphere series brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but Chicago, a revisit to the Soldier Field venue where Ireland achieved a historic win in the fixture nine years ago.

Following the reduction of health protocols, the All Blacks have also