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Seeking what would be just a fifth tour victory in their legendary past, the New Zealand side have headed north at an crucial period.

Fixtures against the Irish team, Scotland, England and Wales await the All Blacks across the next four weekends but, quite aside from the possibility to match the squads of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the history books, the fixtures will be used as a benchmark to measure the progress of the side under a manager now 24 months into from assuming control.

Present Difficulties

Questions over a absence of an identifiable style, ongoing discussions over player choices and leavings from the coaching ticket have all contributed to the feeling that the most recognisable team in the rugby is now one in a time of change.

Most significantly, it is the dip in outcomes from a previous peak set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has caused some to suggest that we have transitioned away of the era of All Black exceptionalism.

Past Performance

Prior to their travel for the European tour, it was revealed that next year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, the All Blacks will play the Springboks in a warm-weather tour called 'an unprecedented series'.

Historically the game's two strongest sides, there is no question over who has recently got the better of what organizers have described 'The Ultimate Contest'.

In recent seasons, the South African team have won a pair of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a series against the British and Irish Lions to be viewed as the squad of their generation.

New Zealand have continued to defeat the Irish team when it is crucial, beating Saturday's opponents in the World Cup quarter finals of the past two tournaments. They have, additionally, been defeated in just a couple of the past 21 meetings with England, have overcome Wales in all matches since the sixties and have remained unbeaten by Scotland.

Shifting Balance

But the diminishment of their position as the rugby's benchmark will remain frustrating.

Although the All Blacks dominated through the last ten years - winning 87% of their international games, as well as lifting the World Cup on several instances - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be seen as when the competitive landscape moved in the world sport.

New Zealand overcame the Springboks in their opening match of the tournament in the host nation, but it was the South Africans who were finally victorious in the final.

Since then, the New Zealand's winning percentage has declined to 71%. South Africa 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

Throughout the equivalent timeframe, the Springboks have secured victory in the majority of the recent encounters between the teams, including success in the recent championship match.

During their pursuit of their current regional title, the Springboks delivered a significant beating on the New Zealand team through dominant performance in their home ground, a score which has triggered another wave of controversy about the development of the squad under Robertson.

Possibly most concerning for followers of the New Zealand team will be that, alongside their usual power, South Africa's triumph has come with an attacking verve more commonly connected with their own side.

Playing Philosophy

At the time that the All Blacks were at the peak of their abilities in previous eras, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit equipped of shredding rivals from every section of the field and at any moment of the match.

Currently, their attacking style is less defined as the coach, who has given 19 debuts during his recent tenure in charge, tries to initially build the fundamental foundations of a winning team.

It has recently revealed that the assistant coach responsible for offense, the current coach, will exit the team after the upcoming matches, making him the second member of Robertson's ticket to exit after Leon MacDonald left last year after just limited matches.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not merely his winning record, but his style, that was expected to carry over from Crusaders when he began his tenure after the recent tournament but, to date, both remain a work in progress.

Business Factors

After investment group the company acquired shares in New Zealand rugby in recent years, the ensuing statement mentioned the "pursuit of new global opportunities" for the organization.

That objective has perhaps been more challenging by the shortage of a global icon. Ardie Savea and the group of family members are still household names in the rugby, but the distribution of stars has expanded significantly. Savea is the sole New Zealand player to win international honors in the recent years, in contrast to 10 in 13 years between previous generations.

International Growth

Instead, initiatives have been undertaken to introduce the All Blacks into new territories.

The initial stage of this European campaign brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a revisit to the location where the Irish team obtained a historic win in the fixture in previous seasons.

After the easing of health protocols, the All Blacks have also