Will the All Blacks find their winning form this autumn?

Seeking what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their storied history, the All Blacks have embarked on their tour at an crucial period.

Fixtures against the Irish team, Scotland, England and Wales await the All Blacks across the coming month but, in addition to the chance to match the teams of previous successful tours in the annals of rugby, the games will be used as a benchmark to evaluate the progress of the side under a manager now two years on from beginning his tenure.

Present Difficulties

Concerns over a shortage of an clear playing identity, continuing controversies over team picks and leavings from the backroom staff have all fueled the perception that the best-known side in the sport is presently one in a state of flux.

Most importantly, it is the dip in results from a historic high watermark set between the World Cups of the last decade that has caused some to theorize that we have transitioned away of the age of Kiwi superiority.

Team Record

Before their departure for the fall series, it was confirmed that next year, in the absence of the Rugby Championship, New Zealand will play the Springboks in a warm-weather tour dubbed 'an unprecedented series'.

In the past the game's two strongest sides, there is little doubt over who has recently got the better of what promoters have called 'The Ultimate Contest'.

During the last decade, the South African team have secured a pair of World Cups, three southern hemisphere titles and a tour against the northern hemisphere selection to be considered as the squad of their era.

The All Blacks have continued to defeat the Irish team when it matters most, beating their next challengers in the global competition of the past two tournaments. They have, meanwhile, been defeated in just two of the past 21 meetings with England, have overcome the Welsh side in each game since 1963 and have always been victorious by Scotland.

Shifting Balance

But the diminishment of their position as the sport's measure of excellence will remain frustrating.

While the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the 2010s - securing 87% of their international games, as well as claiming the global trophy on two occasions - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be regarded as when the hierarchical structure moved in the global game.

New Zealand defeated South Africa in their first game of the tournament in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were ultimately triumphant in Yokohama.

Since then, the New Zealand's victory ratio has declined to 71%. South Africa themselves lost ten of their following games but, from the beginning of 2023, have achieved victory at a percentage (83%) to compete with even the last great New Zealand team.

Recent Encounters

During the same period, the South African team have won the majority of the seven meetings between the opponents, comprising victory in the recent championship match.

While securing their current southern hemisphere crown, Rassie Erasmus' side administered a significant beating on the All Blacks through dominant performance in their home ground, a score which has sparked another series of controversy about the development of the side under the coach.

Maybe most concerning for supporters of the New Zealand team will be that, alongside their traditional strength, the Springboks' triumph has come with an attacking verve more typically linked with their opposition team.

Team Identity

When the New Zealand team were at the height of their capabilities in previous eras, they were a clinical transition team equipped of shredding competitors from all areas of the field and at any moment of the match.

Currently, their offensive approach is unclear as their leader, who has given numerous first caps during his recent tenure in command, tries to initially build the basic core elements of a competitive squad.

It has recently revealed that the backroom staff member overseeing attack, the current coach, will depart his position after the upcoming matches, becoming the next individual of the coaching staff to exit after another coach walked away last year after just a handful of games.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not merely his winning record, but his methodology, that was expected to translate from Crusaders when he took over after the 2023 World Cup but, so far, the two aspects remain a ongoing development.

Commercial Considerations

When financial organization the company acquired shares in New Zealand rugby in the past, the subsequent announcement spoke of the "quest of new global opportunities" for the organization.

That objective has maybe been more difficult by the lack of a international celebrity. Their key player and the trio of related players remain well-known figures in the sport, but the concentration of key individuals has expanded significantly. The captain is the sole All Black to win global recognition in the current era, in comparison to ten awards in 13 years between previous generations.

International Growth

Rather, initiatives have been implemented to introduce the New Zealand team into new territories.

The first leg of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a return to the location where Ireland secured a landmark success in the match during past tours.

After the reduction of pandemic limitations, the New Zealand team have also