Can the All Blacks regain their magic this autumn?
Pursuing what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their illustrious legacy, the All Blacks have traveled to Europe at an pivotal moment.
Matches against Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales await Scott Robertson's side across the next four weekends but, in addition to the chance to equal the squads of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the annals of rugby, the matches will be used as a measure to measure the progress of the side under a head coach now two years on from taking up the reins.
Current Challenges
Concerns over a absence of an distinctive approach, continuing controversies over player choices and exits from the management team have all contributed to the feeling that the most recognisable team in the game is presently one in a period of transition.
Most importantly, it is the decline in outcomes from a historic high watermark set between the global tournaments of 2011 and 2019 that has prompted some to suggest that we have moved out of the period of Kiwi superiority.
Past Performance
Prior to their travel for the northern hemisphere, it was announced that in the coming year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, the All Blacks 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 currently outperformed of what organizers have called 'The Premier Rivalry'.
During the last decade, the Springboks have secured a pair of World Cups, three southern hemisphere titles and a series against the northern hemisphere selection to be regarded as the team of their era.
New Zealand have persisted to defeat the Irish team when it is crucial, defeating Saturday's opponents in the tournament knockout stages of 2019 and '23. They have, meanwhile, lost just two of the past 21 meetings with the English team, have overcome the Welsh side in each game since 1963 and have never suffered defeat by Scotland.
Evolving Landscape
But the decline of their position as the sport's measure of excellence will remain frustrating.
While the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the last ten years - securing eighty-seven percent of their Test matches, as well as lifting the global trophy on several instances - the World Cup of 2019 can now be viewed as when the hierarchical structure moved in the global game.
The All Blacks beat the Springboks in their initial fixture of the competition in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were eventually successful in Yokohama.
Since then, the All Blacks' winning percentage has fallen to 71%. South Africa themselves lost 10 of their subsequent fixtures but, from the beginning of last year, have achieved victory at a percentage (83%) to rival even the former Kiwi champions.
Direct Competition
Throughout the equivalent timeframe, the Springboks have won five of the past fixtures between the opponents, comprising triumph in the recent championship match.
In claiming their most recent southern hemisphere crown, Rassie Erasmus' side administered a historic loss on the New Zealand team through dominant performance in the capital, a score which has triggered another wave of discussion regarding the progress of the squad under Robertson.
Possibly most troubling for fans of the All Blacks will be that, combined with their characteristic physicality, the Springboks' achievement has come with an offensive flair more typically linked with their opposition team.
Style Evolution
During the period when the New Zealand team were at the height of their powers a decade past, they were a devastating offensive machine able of dismantling competitors from all areas of the pitch and at any moment of the match.
Currently, their offensive approach is less defined as Robertson, who has given multiple new players during his 24 months in command, tries to first establish the fundamental core elements of a winning team.
It has recently revealed that the backroom staff member responsible for offense, Jason Holland, will leave his role after the upcoming matches, making him the second member of management team to depart after previous staff member departed last year after just limited matches.
Team Development
It was not merely previous achievements, but his approach, that was expected to translate from Crusaders when he assumed control after the recent tournament but, to date, both continue to be a continuous improvement.
Business Factors
Following private equity firm investors bought a stake in New Zealand rugby in the past, the ensuing statement mentioned the "quest of worldwide growth" for the brand.
That task has maybe been harder by the lack of a crossover star. Ardie Savea and the group of family members continue to be household names in the sport, but the distribution of key individuals has expanded significantly. Savea is the sole All Black to receive international honors in the current era, in opposition to 10 in 13 years between 2005 and '07.
Worldwide Reach
Instead, initiatives have been undertaken to establish the All Blacks into previously untapped markets.
The initial stage of this European campaign brings New Zealand not to Dublin but Chicago, a return to the location where the Irish team achieved a landmark success in the contest nine years ago.
Since the reduction of health protocols, the New Zealand team have additionally