Will the All Blacks find their spark during the fall tour?
Seeking what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their illustrious legacy, 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 upcoming weeks but, beyond the possibility to join the sides of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the annals of rugby, the games will be used as a yardstick to evaluate the progress of the team under a manager now 24 months into from taking up the reins.
Team Issues
Concerns over a lack of an identifiable style, enduring debates over selection and exits from the coaching ticket have all contributed to the perception that the most recognisable team in the sport is presently one in a state of flux.
Most importantly, it is the decline in results from a historic high watermark set between the World Cups of the last decade that has caused some to suggest that we have transitioned away of the age of New Zealand dominance.
Recent History
Prior to their departure for the fall series, it was confirmed that next year, in the absence of the Rugby Championship, New Zealand will meet South Africa in a off-season matches called 'a tour like no other'.
Traditionally the game's two strongest sides, there is little doubt over who has recently got the better of what marketers have described 'The Ultimate Contest'.
Over the past seven years, the Springboks have claimed a two of World Cups, three southern hemisphere titles and a competition against the northern hemisphere selection to be regarded as the squad of their era.
The All Blacks have continued to overcome the Irish team when it counts most, overcoming their next challengers in the World Cup quarter finals of the past two tournaments. They have, additionally, been defeated in just a pair of the last fixtures with the English team, have beaten the Welsh side in every encounter since 1963 and have always been victorious by the Scottish team.
Changing Dynamics
But the decline of their position as the game's gold standard will remain frustrating.
Whereas the All Blacks excelled through the previous decade - winning 87% of their Test matches, as well as winning the global trophy on several instances - the World Cup of the previous competition can now be regarded as when the balance of power changed in the world sport.
The All Blacks beat South Africa in their first game of the competition in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were finally victorious in the championship match.
After that event, the New Zealand's success rate has dropped to 71%. South Africa themselves lost 10 of their subsequent fixtures but, from the beginning of 2023, have won at a rate (83%) to match even the last great New Zealand team.
Direct Competition
Over the same period, the South African team have secured victory in five of the past fixtures between the teams, including success in the latest global tournament decider.
During their pursuit of their current regional title, Rassie Erasmus' side inflicted a record 43-10 defeat on the New Zealand team through 36 unanswered second-half points in their home ground, a outcome which has sparked another wave of discussion regarding the development of the team under their leader.
Perhaps most jarring for followers of the All Blacks will be that, alongside their characteristic physicality, the Springboks' achievement has come with an attacking verve more usually associated with their own side.
Team Identity
At the time that the All Blacks were at the height of their capabilities a decade past, they were a clinical transition team capable of shredding opponents from every section of the playing surface and at any moment of the match.
Today, their offensive approach is unclear as Robertson, who has awarded multiple new players during his 24 months in charge, tries to initially build the more prosaic foundations of a competitive squad.
It has previously announced that the backroom staff member responsible for attack, the current coach, will exit the team after the autumn tour, making him the next individual of the coaching staff to leave after previous staff member left last year after just limited matches.
Team Development
It was not merely his winning record, but his methodology, that was predicted to carry over from Crusaders when he assumed control after the 2023 World Cup but, to date, each continue to be a work in progress.
Organizational Strategy
When financial organization Silver Lake acquired shares in All Blacks in 2022, the subsequent announcement mentioned the "search of new global opportunities" for the team.
That goal has perhaps been more difficult by the lack of a global icon. The current captain and the collection of family members continue to be recognizable personalities in the game, but the distribution of key individuals has expanded significantly. Savea is the single All Black to earn global recognition in the past six seasons, in opposition to 10 in multiple seasons between 2005 and '07.
International Growth
Alternatively, efforts have been undertaken to introduce the New Zealand team into new territories.
The opening phase of this European campaign brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but the American city, a revisit to the stadium where the Irish team achieved a landmark success in the contest during past tours.
Since the relaxation of health protocols, the All Blacks have additionally
