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Aiming for what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their illustrious legacy, the New Zealand side have traveled to Europe at an pivotal moment.

Fixtures against Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales await the All Blacks across the next four weekends but, beyond the chance to equal the teams of previous successful tours in the annals of rugby, the games will be used as a benchmark to assess the development of the team under a leader now well established from taking up the reins.

Current Challenges

Questions over a lack of an distinctive approach, enduring debates over player choices and departures from the management team have all fueled the perception that the most famous squad in the sport is presently one in a time of change.

Most significantly, it is the decline in performances from a previous peak set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has caused some to suggest that we have evolved beyond of the period of New Zealand dominance.

Past Performance

Prior to their departure for the northern hemisphere, it was confirmed that in the coming year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will play South Africa in a summer series termed 'a tour like no other'.

Traditionally the game's two strongest sides, there is little doubt over who has currently outperformed of what promoters have labeled 'The Premier Rivalry'.

During the last decade, the Springboks have claimed a pair of global tournaments, three Rugby Championships and a tour against the northern hemisphere selection to be regarded as the side of their period.

New Zealand have continued to beat Ireland when it matters most, beating their next challengers in the global competition of the past two tournaments. They have, additionally, lost just a pair of the recent encounters with England, have beaten the Welsh side in every encounter since the sixties and have always been victorious by Scotland.

Changing Dynamics

But the loss of their status as the game's gold standard will persist as an irritation.

Whereas the All Blacks dominated through the 2010s - achieving eighty-seven percent of their international games, as well as winning the World Cup on multiple times - the World Cup of the previous competition can now be seen as when the balance of power changed in the international rugby.

The All Blacks overcame South Africa in their initial fixture of the tournament in Japan, but it was the South Africans who were ultimately triumphant in the final.

From that point, the New Zealand's winning percentage has fallen to 71%. South Africa themselves lost ten of their next 26 Test matches but, since the start of last year, have won at a rate (83%) to rival even the former Kiwi champions.

Direct Competition

During the same period, the South African team have won the majority of the seven meetings between the teams, comprising victory in the latest global tournament decider.

In claiming their current southern hemisphere crown, South Africa delivered a significant beating on the New Zealand team thanks to overwhelming display in the capital, a score which has triggered another series of debate concerning the progress of the side under their leader.

Maybe most troubling for followers of the New Zealand team will be that, combined with their characteristic physicality, South Africa's success has come with an offensive flair more usually associated with their own side.

Playing Philosophy

During the period when the New Zealand team were at the peak of their capabilities 10 years ago, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit capable of dismantling competitors from any part of the playing surface and at all times of the contest.

Now, their attacking style is more ambiguous as Robertson, who has awarded 19 debuts during his recent tenure in charge, tries to initially build the basic building blocks of a winning team.

It has already been confirmed that the assistant coach responsible for offense, Jason Holland, will leave his role after the autumn tour, becoming the additional person of the coaching staff to leave after Leon MacDonald left last year after just limited matches.

Team Development

It was not merely previous achievements, but his style, that was anticipated to translate from previous club when he began his tenure after the recent tournament but, to date, each remain a ongoing development.

Organizational Strategy

Following private equity firm Silver Lake invested capital in New Zealand rugby in recent years, the ensuing statement mentioned the "search of worldwide growth" for the team.

That goal has perhaps been harder by the lack of a international celebrity. Ardie Savea and the trio of family members continue to be recognizable personalities in the game, but the distribution of talented players has never been spread wider. The captain is the only New Zealand player to earn international honors in the recent years, in contrast to ten awards in multiple seasons between 2005 and '07.

International Growth

Instead, initiatives have been made to transplant the All Blacks into previously untapped markets.

The initial stage of this European campaign brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but the American city, a return to the stadium where Ireland secured a historic win in the match in previous seasons.

Since the reduction of health protocols, the All Blacks have additionally