Can the All Blacks rediscover their magic during the fall tour?
Aiming for what would be just a fifth northern hemisphere clean sweep in their storied history, the New Zealand side have embarked on their tour at an crucial period.
Fixtures against the Irish team, Scotland, England and Wales await Scott Robertson's side across the coming month but, beyond the possibility to match the teams of previous successful tours in the history books, the fixtures will be used as a yardstick to measure the development of the side under a manager now well established from beginning his tenure.
Current Challenges
Concerns over a shortage of an distinctive approach, enduring debates over player choices and exits from the coaching ticket have all contributed to the sense that the most recognisable team in the rugby is now one in a state of flux.
Most significantly, it is the drop in results from a historic high watermark set between the World Cups of 2011 and 2019 that has prompted some to theorize that we have transitioned away of the age of New Zealand dominance.
Recent History
Prior to their journey for the northern hemisphere, it was announced that in the coming year, in the non-existence of the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks will meet the Springboks in a warm-weather tour termed 'a tour like no other'.
Traditionally the rugby's premier teams, there is little doubt over who has recently got the better of what organizers have described 'The Ultimate Contest'.
Over the past seven years, the Springboks have claimed a couple of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a series against the home nations team to be viewed as the squad of their era.
New Zealand have continued to defeat Ireland when it is crucial, beating their next challengers in the World Cup quarter finals of recent years. They have, at the same time, lost just a pair of the past 21 meetings with the English team, have defeated Wales in each game since the sixties and have never suffered defeat by the Scottish team.
Evolving Landscape
But the decline of their status as the rugby's benchmark will continue to rankle.
Whereas the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the 2010s - securing 87% of their Test matches, as well as winning the global trophy on two occasions - the global tournament of 2019 can now be seen as when the balance of power changed in the international rugby.
The All Blacks overcame the Springboks in their opening match of the championship in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were eventually successful in the final.
Since then, the All Blacks' victory ratio has fallen to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves were defeated in ten of their next 26 Test matches but, commencing of 2023, have won at a frequency (eighty-three percent) to rival even the former Kiwi champions.
Head-to-Head
Throughout the comparable duration, the 'Boks have won the majority of the seven meetings between the teams, including triumph in the 2023 World Cup final.
During their pursuit of their latest regional title, Rassie Erasmus' side administered a record 43-10 defeat on the All Blacks courtesy of overwhelming display in the capital, a outcome which has ignited another wave of debate concerning the development of the side under Robertson.
Possibly most jarring for supporters of the New Zealand team will be that, combined with their usual power, South Africa's triumph has come with an creative approach more usually associated with their opposition team.
Style Evolution
When the New Zealand team were at the zenith of their abilities a decade past, they were a clinical transition team equipped of shredding rivals from any part of the pitch and at any moment of the game.
Currently, their offensive approach is less defined as their leader, who has handed out 19 debuts during his 24 months in charge, tries to primarily create the fundamental core elements of a winning team.
It has already been confirmed that the supporting manager overseeing scoring, their offensive coordinator, will depart his position after the fall series, making him the next individual of the coaching staff to leave after previous staff member walked away last year after just a handful of games.
Expectations vs Reality
It was not merely previous achievements, but his approach, that was expected to translate from Crusaders when he assumed control after the global competition but, as yet, the two aspects continue to be a work in progress.
Business Factors
Following investment group investors invested capital in New Zealand rugby in 2022, the ensuing statement spoke of the "pursuit of worldwide growth" for the brand.
That goal has maybe been more challenging by the lack of a international celebrity. The current captain and the collection of family members continue to be recognizable personalities in the sport, but the concentration of key individuals has never been spread wider. The captain is the sole New Zealand player to win international honors in the past six seasons, in comparison to 10 in 13 years between previous generations.
Worldwide Reach
Rather, attempts have been implemented to establish the New Zealand team into new territories.
The first leg of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings New Zealand not to the Irish capital but the American city, a return to the location where Ireland obtained a landmark success in the fixture nine years ago.
Following the relaxation of health protocols, the All Blacks have also
