Will the New Zealand rugby team regain their winning form during the fall tour?
Seeking what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their storied history, the All Blacks have headed north at an pivotal moment.
Fixtures against the Irish team, Scotland, the English squad and Wales await the All Blacks across the upcoming weeks but, in addition to the chance to join the teams of previous successful tours in the history books, the fixtures will be used as a measure to evaluate the development of the squad under a manager now 24 months into from beginning his tenure.
Team Issues
Concerns over a lack of an identifiable style, ongoing discussions over selection and departures from the coaching ticket have all added to the feeling that the best-known side in the rugby is currently one in a period of transition.
Most importantly, it is the drop in outcomes from a previous peak set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has prompted 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 southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will play South Africa in a off-season matches termed 'an unprecedented series'.
Traditionally the rugby's premier teams, there is little doubt over who has lately dominated of what promoters have called 'The Premier Rivalry'.
Over the past seven years, the South African team have claimed a couple of global tournaments, three Rugby Championships and a tour against the home nations team to be regarded as the squad of their era.
The All Blacks have maintained to overcome Ireland when it matters most, overcoming their next challengers in the World Cup quarter finals of the past two tournaments. They have, meanwhile, lost just a couple of the past 21 meetings with the English team, have overcome Wales in all matches since 1963 and have remained unbeaten by the Scottish team.
Shifting Balance
But the loss of their position as the sport's measure of excellence will remain frustrating.
Whereas the All Blacks dominated through the previous decade - achieving eighty-seven percent of their fixtures, as well as lifting the Webb Ellis on multiple times - the World Cup of the previous competition can now be regarded as when the hierarchical structure shifted in the global game.
New Zealand defeated South Africa in their first game of the championship in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were finally victorious in Yokohama.
After that event, the All Blacks' winning percentage has fallen to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves were defeated in ten of their next 26 Test matches but, since the start of last year, have won at a percentage (83%) to compete with even the last great New Zealand team.
Direct Competition
Throughout the equivalent timeframe, the Springboks have won the majority of the past fixtures between the teams, comprising triumph in the recent championship match.
During their pursuit of their most recent southern hemisphere crown, South Africa inflicted a historic loss on the New Zealand team through overwhelming display in their home ground, a result which has ignited another series of controversy regarding the direction of the squad under their leader.
Maybe most troubling for supporters of the All Blacks will be that, combined with their characteristic physicality, the Springboks' success has come with an offensive flair more usually associated with their own side.
Playing Philosophy
At the time that the All Blacks were at the zenith of their abilities 10 years ago, they were a devastating offensive machine capable of destroying competitors from any part of the playing surface and at any point of the contest.
Now, their playing philosophy is unclear as Robertson, who has handed out 19 debuts during his two years in charge, tries to primarily create the fundamental core elements of a competitive squad.
It has already been confirmed that the backroom staff member overseeing attack, Jason Holland, will exit the team after the fall series, becoming the next individual of Robertson's ticket to depart after Leon MacDonald walked away last year after just limited matches.
Performance Gap
It was not only Robertson's success, but his methodology, that was predicted to carry over from his former team when he took over after the 2023 World Cup but, to date, the two aspects continue to be a work in progress.
Business Factors
After private equity firm Silver Lake bought a stake in New Zealand rugby in 2022, the subsequent announcement mentioned the "pursuit of worldwide growth" for the brand.
That objective has perhaps been harder by the shortage of a crossover star. Their key player and the trio of related players continue to be household names 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 current era, in opposition to 10 in multiple seasons between 2005 and '07.
International Growth
Alternatively, initiatives have been undertaken to introduce the All Blacks into emerging regions.
The initial stage of this northern hemisphere series brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but Chicago, a comeback to the Soldier Field venue where the Irish team obtained a first ever victory in the match in previous seasons.
Following the easing of health protocols, the All Blacks have additionally
