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Pursuing what would be just a fifth tour victory in their legendary past, the New Zealand side have traveled to Europe at an crucial period.

Matches against Ireland, the Scottish side, the English squad and the Welsh team await Scott Robertson's side across the next four weekends but, beyond the chance to equal the sides of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the history books, the fixtures will be used as a yardstick to measure the improvement of the squad under a manager now well established from taking up the reins.

Present Difficulties

Questions over a lack of an distinctive approach, enduring debates over team picks and departures from the coaching ticket have all added to the sense that the most recognisable team in the game is presently one in a state of flux.

Most importantly, it is the drop in results from a previous peak set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has prompted some to theorize that we have evolved beyond of the period of All Black exceptionalism.

Recent History

Prior to their travel for the European tour, it was confirmed that during the following season, in the lack of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will face South Africa in a warm-weather tour dubbed 'an unprecedented series'.

Traditionally the game's two strongest sides, there is clear agreement over who has lately dominated of what marketers have called 'The Premier Rivalry'.

During the last decade, the Springboks have claimed a two of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a series against the northern hemisphere selection to be regarded as the team of their era.

The All Blacks have continued to overcome Ireland when it matters most, defeating their next challengers in the World Cup quarter finals of the past two tournaments. They have, meanwhile, been defeated in just a pair of the last fixtures with England, have defeated the Welsh side in each game since the sixties and have always been victorious by Scotland.

Shifting Balance

But the loss of their standing as the rugby's benchmark will continue to rankle.

While the New Zealand team dominated through the 2010s - securing 87% of their international games, as well as winning the World Cup on two occasions - the global tournament of 2019 can now be regarded as when the competitive landscape shifted in the international rugby.

New Zealand beat South Africa in their opening match of the championship in the host nation, but it was the South Africans who were ultimately triumphant in the championship match.

After that event, the New Zealand's success rate has fallen to 71%. South Africa themselves were defeated in 10 of their following games but, from the beginning of last year, have won at a frequency (eighty-three percent) to compete with even the last great New Zealand team.

Recent Encounters

Over the equivalent timeframe, the South African team have won five of the seven meetings between the opponents, comprising victory in the latest global tournament decider.

In claiming their most recent southern hemisphere crown, the Springboks delivered a significant beating on the All Blacks thanks to 36 unanswered second-half points in their home ground, a outcome which has ignited another round of debate about the progress of the team under their leader.

Maybe most jarring for followers of the New Zealand team will be that, allied to their usual power, the Springboks' success has come with an attacking verve more typically linked with their opposition team.

Team Identity

During the period when the New Zealand team were at the zenith of their capabilities 10 years ago, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit equipped of shredding opponents from every section of the pitch and at all times of the game.

Today, their offensive approach is less defined as Robertson, who has given numerous first caps during his 24 months in charge, tries to first establish the basic building blocks of a winning team.

It has already been confirmed that the backroom staff member overseeing offense, their offensive coordinator, will exit the team after the fall series, making him the additional person of management team to leave after previous staff member left last year after just limited matches.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not only Robertson's success, but his approach, that was anticipated to translate from his former team when he began his tenure after the global competition but, so far, the two aspects continue to be a work in progress.

Business Factors

Following private equity firm investors invested capital in New Zealand rugby in the past, the following communication discussed the "pursuit of worldwide growth" for the team.

That goal has perhaps been more difficult by the lack of a global icon. The current captain and the group of family members continue to be recognizable personalities in the rugby, but the spread of talented players has become more diverse. Their leader is the sole New Zealand player to receive global recognition in the past six seasons, in opposition to ten awards in multiple seasons between the mid-2000s.

Worldwide Reach

Alternatively, initiatives have been implemented to introduce the New Zealand team into previously untapped markets.

The initial stage of this northern hemisphere series brings New Zealand not to Dublin but the American city, a comeback to the location where the Irish team achieved a first ever victory in the fixture nine years ago.

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