Can the All Blacks regain their magic during the fall tour?
Seeking what would be just a fifth northern hemisphere clean sweep in their legendary past, the New Zealand side have headed north at an interesting juncture.
Games against the Irish team, the Scottish side, England and Wales await the All Blacks across the next four weekends but, beyond the opportunity to join the teams of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the history books, the fixtures will be used as a measure to evaluate the progress of the side under a manager now 24 months into from beginning his tenure.
Present Difficulties
Doubts over a lack of an identifiable style, enduring debates over selection and exits from the coaching ticket have all added to the feeling that the most famous squad in the rugby is currently one in a period of transition.
Most significantly, it is the drop in results from a past excellence set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has led some to suggest that we have transitioned away of the era of New Zealand dominance.
Recent History
Prior to their journey for the northern hemisphere, it was revealed that in the coming year, in the absence of the Rugby Championship, New Zealand will play the Springboks in a summer series called 'a tour like no other'.
Historically the sport's top competitors, there is clear agreement over who has recently got the better of what organizers have described 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.
During the last decade, the South African team have won a two of global tournaments, three Rugby Championships and a series against the northern hemisphere selection to be considered as the squad of their generation.
New Zealand have persisted to beat the Irish team when it is crucial, beating this weekend's rivals in the World Cup quarter finals of the past two tournaments. They have, meanwhile, been defeated in just a couple of the past 21 meetings with the English team, have beaten Wales in each game since 1963 and have never suffered defeat by the Scottish team.
Evolving Landscape
But the loss of their status as the game's gold standard will persist as an irritation.
While the All Blacks excelled through the last ten years - achieving eighty-seven percent of their international games, as well as winning the World Cup on multiple times - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be viewed as when the balance of power shifted in the world sport.
New Zealand defeated South Africa in their first game of the tournament in Japan, but it was the Boks' who were finally victorious in the final.
After that event, the All Blacks' success rate has fallen to 71%. South Africa themselves were defeated in ten of their following games but, commencing of last year, have achieved victory at a percentage (eighty-three percent) to compete with even the last great New Zealand team.
Recent Encounters
During the equivalent timeframe, the South African team have secured victory in the majority of the recent encounters between the teams, featuring triumph in the latest global tournament decider.
During their pursuit of their current regional title, South Africa administered a historic loss on the New Zealand team through overwhelming display in their home ground, a score which has ignited another wave of controversy about the direction of the squad under their leader.
Maybe most concerning for fans of the All Blacks will be that, combined with their traditional strength, the Springboks' triumph has come with an attacking verve more typically linked with their opposition team.
Team Identity
During the period when the All Blacks were at the peak of their capabilities 10 years ago, they were a devastating offensive machine capable of dismantling rivals from any part of the pitch and at all times of the contest.
Currently, their attacking style is more ambiguous as the coach, who has handed out 19 debuts during his recent tenure in control, tries to first establish the fundamental core elements of a winning team.
It has already been confirmed that the backroom staff member responsible for scoring, Jason Holland, will depart his position after the autumn tour, making him the next individual of the coaching staff to depart after Leon MacDonald left last year after just five Tests.
Performance Gap
It was not just Robertson's success, but his style, that was anticipated to transfer from his former team when he took over after the recent tournament but, so far, both are still a ongoing development.
Commercial Considerations
When financial organization the company acquired shares in New Zealand rugby in recent years, the subsequent announcement discussed the "quest of new global opportunities" for the team.
That objective has maybe been more challenging by the absence of a crossover star. Their key player and the collection of family members are still household names in the rugby, but the concentration of talented players has become more diverse. The captain is the only All Black to receive World Player of the Year in the past six seasons, in contrast to 10 in 13 years between 2005 and '07.
Worldwide Reach
Rather, attempts have been undertaken to establish the New Zealand team into emerging regions.
The initial stage of this northern hemisphere series brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but Chicago, a return to the Soldier Field venue where the Irish team secured a first ever victory in the contest in previous seasons.
After the relaxation of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the New Zealand team have furthermore
