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Seeking what would be just a fifth tour victory in their storied history, the All Blacks have traveled to Europe at an interesting juncture.

Fixtures against Ireland, the Scottish side, the English squad and Wales await Scott Robertson's side across the upcoming weeks but, in addition to the chance to join the squads of previous successful tours in the annals of rugby, the games will be used as a yardstick to measure the development of the team under a head coach now two years on from taking up the reins.

Current Challenges

Concerns over a shortage of an distinctive approach, continuing controversies over team picks and departures from the backroom staff have all contributed to the feeling that the most recognisable team in the sport is presently one in a state of flux.

Most pertinently, it is the dip in outcomes from a historic high watermark set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has prompted some to speculate that we have moved out of the period of New Zealand dominance.

Recent History

Prior to their travel for the European tour, it was confirmed that in the coming year, in the lack of the Rugby Championship, New Zealand will meet South Africa in a warm-weather tour called 'an unprecedented series'.

In the past the game's two strongest sides, there is clear agreement over who has currently outperformed of what organizers have called 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.

In recent seasons, the Springboks have claimed a two of World Cups, three southern hemisphere titles and a series against the home nations team to be viewed as the side of their era.

The All Blacks have maintained to overcome the Irish team when it is crucial, defeating their next challengers in the global competition of recent years. They have, additionally, been defeated in just a pair of the last fixtures with the English team, have overcome Wales in each game since over sixty years ago and have remained unbeaten by the Scottish team.

Evolving Landscape

But the diminishment of their position as the game's gold standard will remain frustrating.

Whereas the All Blacks dominated through the previous decade - achieving eighty-seven percent of their Test matches, as well as lifting the World Cup on several instances - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be viewed as when the balance of power shifted in the world sport.

The All Blacks overcame South Africa in their opening match of the competition in the host nation, but it was the South Africans who were eventually successful in the final.

From that point, the New Zealand's success rate has declined to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves were defeated in 10 of their subsequent fixtures but, since the start of last year, have achieved victory at a frequency (eighty-three percent) to compete with even the last great New Zealand team.

Recent Encounters

During the equivalent timeframe, the Springboks have won five of the past fixtures between the sides, including triumph in the recent championship match.

While securing their latest continental championship, South Africa administered a record 43-10 defeat on the New Zealand team courtesy of overwhelming display in their home ground, a result which has ignited another series of controversy concerning the progress of the side under Robertson.

Perhaps most concerning for followers of the New Zealand team will be that, combined with their characteristic physicality, the Springboks' achievement has come with an offensive flair more commonly connected with their traditional rivals.

Team Identity

During the period when the All Blacks were at the height of their abilities 10 years ago, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit equipped of destroying rivals from any part of the pitch and at all times of the contest.

Currently, their offensive approach is unclear as their leader, who has awarded multiple new players during his two years in control, tries to first establish the basic foundations of a successful side.

It has previously announced that the assistant coach in charge of offense, the current coach, will depart his position after the fall series, becoming the next individual of Robertson's ticket to exit after another coach departed last year after just a handful of games.

Team Development

It was not merely Robertson's success, but his approach, that was predicted to transfer from previous club when he assumed control after the 2023 World Cup but, to date, the two aspects continue to be a work in progress.

Business Factors

After investment group the company bought a stake in All Blacks in 2022, the subsequent announcement spoke of the "pursuit of international expansion" for the team.

That objective has perhaps been harder by the shortage of a crossover star. Their key player and the trio of family members continue to be recognizable personalities in the game, but the concentration of key individuals has become more diverse. Savea is the sole All Black to earn international honors in the past six seasons, in comparison to 10 in multiple seasons between the mid-2000s.

International Growth

Rather, attempts have been undertaken to transplant the All Blacks into new territories.

The initial stage of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a comeback to the stadium where Ireland achieved a historic win in the match nine years ago.

Following the easing of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the New Zealand team have also