Will the All Blacks regain their winning form during the fall tour?
Aiming for what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their legendary past, the New Zealand side have embarked on their tour at an interesting juncture.
Games against the Irish team, Scotland, England and Wales await the All Blacks across the coming month but, quite aside from the opportunity to join the squads of previous successful tours in the record books, the fixtures will be used as a measure to measure the progress of the squad under a manager now two years on from beginning his tenure.
Team Issues
Questions over a lack of an clear playing identity, ongoing discussions over player choices and leavings from the management team have all added to the perception that the most famous squad in the game is now one in a state of flux.
Most pertinently, it is the drop in performances from a previous peak set between the World Cups of the last decade that has led some to speculate that we have moved out of the age of New Zealand dominance.
Team Record
Ahead of their journey for the northern hemisphere, it was announced that in the coming year, in the absence of the Rugby Championship, New Zealand will play the Springboks in a warm-weather tour termed 'an unprecedented series'.
In the past the rugby's premier teams, there is little doubt over who has lately dominated of what promoters have labeled 'The Premier Rivalry'.
During the last decade, the Springboks have won a couple of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a competition against the British and Irish Lions to be considered as the squad of their generation.
The All Blacks have persisted to overcome the Irish team when it is crucial, beating this weekend's rivals in the World Cup quarter finals of recent years. They have, additionally, been defeated in just a pair of the last fixtures with England, have beaten Wales in every encounter since 1963 and have never suffered defeat by Scotland.
Evolving Landscape
But the loss of their status as the sport's measure of excellence will persist as an irritation.
Although the All Blacks reigned supreme through the previous decade - securing eighty-seven percent of their international games, as well as claiming the Webb Ellis on two occasions - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be regarded as when the hierarchical structure shifted in the world sport.
The All Blacks defeated the Springboks in their opening match of the competition in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were eventually successful in the final.
From that point, the New Zealand's winning percentage has dropped to 71%. The Springboks themselves were defeated in 10 of their following games but, commencing of last year, have achieved victory at a percentage (83%) to rival even the last great New Zealand team.
Head-to-Head
Throughout the same period, the South African team have secured victory in five of the seven meetings between the teams, including success in the latest global tournament decider.
While securing their most recent continental championship, South Africa administered a record 43-10 defeat on the New Zealand team through 36 unanswered second-half points in Wellington, a score which has triggered another series of controversy concerning the development of the side under the coach.
Possibly most troubling for supporters of the All Blacks will be that, combined with their traditional strength, the Springboks' triumph has come with an creative approach more typically linked with their opposition team.
Style Evolution
When the New Zealand team were at the height of their powers 10 years ago, they were a clinical transition team capable of destroying opponents from all areas of the playing surface and at any moment of the contest.
Now, their attacking style is less defined as the coach, who has awarded 19 debuts during his two years in command, tries to first establish the basic building blocks of a successful side.
It has already been confirmed that the assistant coach responsible for offense, Jason Holland, will depart his position after the autumn tour, making him the second member of Robertson's ticket to exit after previous staff member walked away last year after just a handful of games.
Expectations vs Reality
It was not only previous achievements, but his style, that was predicted to carry over from previous club when he began his tenure after the global competition but, so far, both remain a continuous improvement.
Commercial Considerations
When private equity firm Silver Lake acquired shares in New Zealand rugby in 2022, the ensuing statement discussed the "search of new global opportunities" for the team.
That task has perhaps been more difficult by the absence of a crossover star. Ardie Savea and the collection of Barrett brothers continue to be recognizable personalities in the game, but the concentration of key individuals has become more diverse. The captain is the sole All Black to receive international honors in the past six seasons, in contrast to ten awards in multiple seasons between 2005 and '07.
Global Expansion
Alternatively, initiatives have been undertaken to introduce the New Zealand team into emerging regions.
The first leg of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings New Zealand not to the Irish capital but the American city, a return to the stadium where the Irish team achieved a landmark success in the fixture nine years ago.
Following the easing of health protocols, the New Zealand team have additionally
