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Aiming for what would be just a fifth tour victory in their legendary past, the All Blacks have embarked on their tour at an crucial period.

Matches against Ireland, the Scottish side, England and Wales await the All Blacks across the upcoming weeks but, in addition to the possibility to match the squads of previous successful tours in the record books, the matches will be used as a yardstick to measure the development of the side under a leader now two years on from taking up the reins.

Team Issues

Doubts over a shortage of an identifiable style, ongoing discussions over selection and leavings from the backroom staff have all added to the perception that the most recognisable team in the sport is presently one in a period of transition.

Most pertinently, it is the drop in performances from a past excellence set between the global tournaments of 2011 and 2019 that has caused some to suggest that we have transitioned away of the era of All Black exceptionalism.

Team Record

Prior to their departure for the fall series, it was announced that in the coming year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, the All Blacks will face South Africa in a summer series called 'a unique competition'.

Traditionally the rugby's premier teams, there is little doubt over who has lately dominated of what promoters have called 'The Premier Rivalry'.

In recent seasons, the South African team have secured a couple of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a series against the northern hemisphere selection to be viewed as the side of their period.

The All Blacks have continued to beat Ireland when it matters most, overcoming Saturday's opponents in the World Cup quarter finals of 2019 and '23. They have, meanwhile, been defeated in just two of the recent encounters with the English team, have defeated Wales in each game since 1963 and have always been victorious by the Scottish team.

Changing Dynamics

But the loss of their position as the rugby's benchmark will continue to rankle.

While the New Zealand team excelled through the last ten years - winning 87% of their fixtures, as well as claiming the global trophy on two occasions - the global tournament of 2019 can now be viewed as when the competitive landscape moved in the world sport.

The All Blacks beat the Springboks in their opening match of the competition in Japan, but it was the South Africans who were finally victorious in the championship match.

After that event, the New Zealand's victory ratio has dropped to seventy-one percent. South Africa themselves lost 10 of their following games but, since the start of last year, have achieved victory at a rate (83%) to rival even the former Kiwi champions.

Head-to-Head

Throughout the comparable duration, the 'Boks have won the majority of the past fixtures between the opponents, featuring victory in the recent championship match.

While securing their latest continental championship, the Springboks inflicted a significant beating on the All Blacks courtesy of dominant performance in their home ground, a score which has sparked another wave of controversy about the direction of the side under their leader.

Perhaps most concerning for followers of the New Zealand team will be that, allied to their usual power, the Springboks' triumph has come with an offensive flair more usually associated with their opposition team.

Style Evolution

When the New Zealand team were at the height of their capabilities 10 years ago, they were a clinical transition team able of dismantling competitors from all areas of the playing surface and at any moment of the contest.

Currently, their attacking style is unclear as their leader, who has given multiple new players during his recent tenure in charge, tries to primarily create the fundamental foundations of a competitive squad.

It has recently revealed that the supporting manager in charge of scoring, Jason Holland, will exit the team after the upcoming matches, making him the additional person of the coaching staff to leave after previous staff member departed last year after just a handful of games.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not just his winning record, but his style, that was expected to transfer from previous club when he assumed control after the global competition but, as yet, both continue to be a work in progress.

Organizational Strategy

After private equity firm investors invested capital in All Blacks in the past, the subsequent announcement discussed the "search of worldwide growth" for the team.

That goal has maybe been harder by the absence of a global icon. Their key player and the collection of Barrett brothers remain recognizable personalities in the game, but the concentration of talented players has become more diverse. Their leader is the sole All Black to win international honors in the past six seasons, in contrast to ten awards in over a decade between the mid-2000s.

Global Expansion

Rather, attempts have been undertaken to introduce the New Zealand team into previously untapped markets.

The first leg of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but Chicago, a comeback to the Soldier Field venue where the Irish team obtained a landmark success in the contest during past tours.

After the easing of health protocols, the New Zealand team have furthermore