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Seeking what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their illustrious legacy, the All Blacks have traveled to Europe at an interesting juncture.

Matches against the Irish team, Scotland, the English squad and the Welsh team await the New Zealand team across the upcoming weeks but, in addition to the opportunity to match the sides of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the history books, the matches will be used as a measure to evaluate the development of the side under a manager now 24 months into from taking up the reins.

Current Challenges

Questions over a shortage of an clear playing identity, enduring debates over selection and leavings from the backroom staff have all added to the sense that the best-known side in the rugby is now one in a state of flux.

Most significantly, it is the dip in performances from a previous peak set between the World Cups of 2011 and 2019 that has prompted some to suggest that we have evolved beyond of the era of Kiwi superiority.

Team Record

Before their travel for the northern hemisphere, it was confirmed that during the following season, in the absence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will meet the Springboks in a warm-weather tour dubbed 'an unprecedented series'.

In the past the sport's top competitors, there is little doubt over who has lately dominated of what promoters have labeled 'The Ultimate Contest'.

Over the past seven years, the Springboks have won a couple of global tournaments, three Rugby Championships and a series against the British and Irish Lions to be regarded as the side of their period.

The All Blacks have maintained to beat the Irish team when it matters most, overcoming this weekend's rivals in the World Cup quarter finals of recent years. They have, meanwhile, lost just a pair of the last fixtures with the English team, have defeated the Welsh side in each game since the sixties and have never suffered defeat by Scotland.

Changing Dynamics

But the decline of their standing as the sport's measure of excellence will remain frustrating.

Although the All Blacks excelled through the previous decade - securing eighty-seven percent of their Test matches, as well as winning the Webb Ellis on several instances - the World Cup of the previous competition can now be seen as when the hierarchical structure shifted in the world sport.

The All Blacks overcame South Africa in their opening match of the tournament in Japan, but it was the Boks' who were ultimately triumphant in the championship match.

After that event, the New Zealand's victory ratio has fallen to 71%. South Africa themselves lost ten of their next 26 Test matches but, from the beginning of last year, have achieved victory at a frequency (eighty-three percent) to rival even the last great New Zealand team.

Recent Encounters

Throughout the same period, the South African team have secured victory in five of the recent encounters between the opponents, including triumph in the recent championship match.

In claiming their latest continental championship, Rassie Erasmus' side administered a record 43-10 defeat on the All Blacks through dominant performance in Wellington, a outcome which has sparked another round of debate regarding the direction of the side under Robertson.

Perhaps most jarring for fans of the All Blacks will be that, allied to their traditional strength, South Africa's achievement has come with an offensive flair more typically linked with their own side.

Team Identity

When the All Blacks were at the zenith of their powers in previous eras, they were a clinical transition team capable of destroying rivals from any part of the field and at any point of the contest.

Now, their attacking style is more ambiguous as the coach, who has awarded multiple new players during his recent tenure in control, tries to initially build the basic building blocks of a successful side.

It has recently revealed that the backroom staff member overseeing attack, Jason Holland, will depart his position after the fall series, becoming the additional person of the coaching staff to leave after previous staff member departed last year after just limited matches.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not only his winning record, but his approach, that was predicted to translate from his former team when he assumed control after the 2023 World Cup but, as yet, the two aspects continue to be a work in progress.

Organizational Strategy

When private equity firm investors bought a stake in New Zealand rugby in recent years, the ensuing statement discussed the "search of worldwide growth" for the organization.

That goal has perhaps been harder by the lack of a global icon. Their key player and the trio of Barrett brothers are still well-known figures in the game, but the concentration of stars has become more diverse. Their leader is the only New Zealand player to earn international honors in the recent years, in comparison to 10 in multiple seasons between 2005 and '07.

Worldwide Reach

Alternatively, attempts have been made to introduce the All Blacks into new territories.

The initial stage of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but the American city, a revisit to the stadium where the Irish team achieved a historic win in the fixture in previous seasons.

Following the reduction of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the New Zealand team have additionally