🔗 Share this article

Aiming for what would be just a fifth northern hemisphere clean sweep in their legendary past, the All Blacks have embarked on their tour at an pivotal moment.

Games against Ireland, the Scottish side, the English squad and the Welsh team await the All Blacks across the coming month but, quite aside from the chance to join the squads of previous successful tours in the record books, the matches will be used as a measure to measure the progress of the team under a manager now well established from taking up the reins.

Team Issues

Concerns over a shortage of an identifiable style, continuing controversies over selection and departures from the backroom staff have all added to the sense that the best-known side in the game is currently one in a time of change.

Most significantly, it is the decline in results from a previous peak set between the global tournaments of 2011 and 2019 that has led some to theorize that we have evolved beyond of the period of New Zealand dominance.

Recent History

Before their journey for the European tour, it was announced that during the following season, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, the All Blacks will face the Springboks in a warm-weather tour called 'a tour like no other'.

Traditionally the game's two strongest sides, there is little doubt over who has recently got the better of what marketers have labeled 'The Premier Rivalry'.

In recent seasons, the South African team have won a pair of World Cups, three southern hemisphere titles and a tour against the northern hemisphere selection to be considered as the team of their generation.

New Zealand have continued to overcome Ireland when it matters most, overcoming Saturday's opponents in the World Cup quarter finals of 2019 and '23. They have, at the same time, lost just a couple of the recent encounters with England, have beaten the Welsh side in each game since over sixty years ago and have never suffered defeat by the Scottish team.

Shifting Balance

But the loss of their position as the rugby's benchmark will remain frustrating.

Whereas the New Zealand team reigned supreme through the last ten years - achieving eighty-seven percent of their Test matches, as well as lifting the World Cup on two occasions - the global tournament of 2019 can now be viewed as when the hierarchical structure moved in the international rugby.

The All Blacks defeated South Africa in their first game of the competition in Japan, but it was the South Africans who were ultimately triumphant in Yokohama.

From that point, the All Blacks' winning percentage has declined to 71%. South Africa themselves were defeated in ten of their following games but, commencing of 2023, have won at a frequency (83%) to rival even the last great New Zealand team.

Recent Encounters

Throughout the equivalent timeframe, the South African team have won the majority of the seven meetings between the sides, featuring triumph in the recent championship match.

While securing their current continental championship, the Springboks delivered a historic loss on the All Blacks through overwhelming display in the capital, a outcome which has triggered another wave of controversy about the development of the side under their leader.

Perhaps most jarring for supporters of the New Zealand team will be that, alongside their usual power, South Africa's success has come with an attacking verve more usually associated with their own side.

Playing Philosophy

At the time that the New Zealand team were at the height of their powers 10 years ago, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit equipped of dismantling opponents from any part of the pitch and at any moment of the game.

Now, their attacking style is less defined as the coach, who has given multiple new players during his 24 months in charge, tries to primarily create the basic foundations of a winning team.

It has recently revealed that the assistant coach in charge of offense, their offensive coordinator, will depart his position after the autumn tour, becoming the additional person of management team to exit after previous staff member walked away last year after just five Tests.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not only previous achievements, but his methodology, that was predicted to carry over from Crusaders when he took over after the recent tournament but, so far, both remain a ongoing development.

Business Factors

When private equity firm Silver Lake bought a stake in New Zealand rugby in the past, the ensuing statement spoke of the "pursuit of international expansion" for the team.

That task has maybe been more challenging by the lack of a crossover star. Ardie Savea and the collection of family members continue to be household names in the rugby, but the distribution of talented players has expanded significantly. The captain is the single New Zealand player to receive World Player of the Year in the current era, in opposition to 10 in 13 years between previous generations.

International Growth

Alternatively, efforts have been implemented to introduce the All Blacks into previously untapped markets.

The initial stage of this European campaign brings New Zealand not to the Irish capital but the American city, a return to the Soldier Field venue where Ireland secured a historic win in the contest nine years ago.

After the relaxation of pandemic limitations, the All Blacks have additionally