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Pursuing what would be just a fifth northern hemisphere clean sweep in their legendary past, the New Zealand side have headed north at an pivotal moment.

Fixtures against Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales await the All Blacks across the upcoming weeks but, quite aside from the opportunity to join the sides of previous successful tours in the history books, the fixtures will be used as a benchmark to assess the development of the squad under a manager now well established from taking up the reins.

Current Challenges

Doubts over a absence of an identifiable style, continuing controversies over player choices and exits from the backroom staff have all fueled the feeling that the most recognisable team in the sport is presently one in a time of change.

Most pertinently, it is the drop in outcomes from a past excellence set between the World Cups of the last decade that has led some to suggest that we have evolved beyond of the age of New Zealand dominance.

Recent History

Prior to their departure for the European tour, it was confirmed that during the following season, in the lack of the southern hemisphere competition, the All Blacks will face the Springboks in a summer series called 'a unique competition'.

Traditionally the rugby's premier teams, there is no question over who has lately dominated of what marketers have labeled 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.

In recent seasons, the Springboks have secured a two of global tournaments, three Rugby Championships and a series against the British and Irish Lions to be considered as the side of their period.

The All Blacks have persisted to beat Ireland when it matters most, overcoming Saturday's opponents in the World Cup quarter finals of the past two tournaments. They have, additionally, lost just a pair of the recent encounters with England, have overcome Wales in all matches since the sixties and have remained unbeaten by the Scottish team.

Evolving Landscape

But the loss of their position as the game's gold standard will continue to rankle.

Whereas the All Blacks excelled through the last ten years - winning eighty-seven percent of their international games, as well as winning the World Cup on two occasions - the global tournament of 2019 can now be viewed as when the balance of power moved in the international rugby.

New Zealand beat South Africa in their first game of the tournament in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were finally victorious in the final.

From that point, the New Zealand's success rate has dropped to 71%. South Africa themselves were defeated in ten of their next 26 Test matches but, from the beginning of last year, have won at a percentage (83%) to match even the former Kiwi champions.

Direct Competition

Over the same period, the Springboks have secured victory in five of the recent encounters between the teams, featuring victory in the latest global tournament decider.

During their pursuit of their most recent continental championship, the Springboks delivered a significant beating on the New Zealand team courtesy of dominant performance in their home ground, a outcome which has ignited another wave of controversy regarding the direction of the team under their leader.

Maybe most jarring for followers of the All Blacks will be that, allied to their traditional strength, the Springboks' triumph has come with an creative approach more commonly connected with their own side.

Team Identity

When the New Zealand team were at the peak of their abilities in previous eras, they were a devastating offensive machine able of shredding competitors from every section of the field and at any point of the match.

Now, their attacking style is more ambiguous as their leader, who has handed out 19 debuts during his two years in control, tries to initially build the fundamental core elements of a competitive squad.

It has already been confirmed that the assistant coach responsible for offense, their offensive coordinator, will depart his position after the upcoming matches, making him the additional person of management team to depart after another coach left last year after just five Tests.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not just previous achievements, but his methodology, that was expected to carry over from previous club when he assumed control after the 2023 World Cup but, as yet, the two aspects are still a work in progress.

Organizational Strategy

After private equity firm Silver Lake acquired shares in All Blacks in the past, the ensuing statement spoke of the "search of international expansion" for the team.

That goal has maybe been harder by the shortage of a global icon. The current captain and the group of Barrett brothers continue to be recognizable personalities in the sport, but the concentration of key individuals has become more diverse. The captain is the sole New Zealand player to win international honors in the recent years, in comparison to 10 in 13 years between the mid-2000s.

Global Expansion

Alternatively, attempts have been implemented to transplant the All Blacks into emerging regions.

The first leg of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings New Zealand not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a return to the Soldier Field venue where the Irish team obtained a historic win in the match during past tours.

Following the relaxation of pandemic limitations, the All Blacks have also