Can the New Zealand rugby team find their magic this autumn?

Pursuing what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their illustrious legacy, the New Zealand side have traveled to Europe at an pivotal moment.

Fixtures against the Irish team, the Scottish side, the English squad and Wales await Scott Robertson's side across the coming month but, beyond the chance to equal the squads of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the record books, the matches will be used as a benchmark to measure the development of the team under a head coach now well established from beginning his tenure.

Team Issues

Questions over a lack of an distinctive approach, enduring debates over selection and exits from the management team have all fueled the sense that the best-known side in the rugby is presently one in a state of flux.

Most importantly, it is the dip in results from a previous peak set between the World Cups of 2011 and 2019 that has prompted some to theorize that we have evolved beyond of the period of New Zealand dominance.

Past Performance

Prior to their travel for the northern hemisphere, it was revealed that next year, in the absence of the Rugby Championship, the All Blacks will play South Africa in a off-season matches dubbed 'an unprecedented series'.

Traditionally the sport's top competitors, there is little doubt over who has recently got the better of what organizers have called 'The Premier Rivalry'.

In recent seasons, the South African team have claimed a couple of global tournaments, three Rugby Championships and a series against the northern hemisphere selection to be regarded as the side of their era.

New Zealand have continued to defeat Ireland when it counts most, beating Saturday's opponents in the World Cup quarter finals of recent years. They have, additionally, been defeated in just two of the last fixtures with England, have overcome Wales in every encounter since over sixty years ago and have always been victorious by Scotland.

Changing Dynamics

But the loss of their standing as the sport's measure of excellence will remain frustrating.

Although the All Blacks dominated through the 2010s - winning 87% of their international games, as well as claiming the Webb Ellis on two occasions - the global tournament of 2019 can now be seen as when the hierarchical structure moved in the international rugby.

The All Blacks defeated the Springboks in their first game of the competition in the host nation, but it was the Boks' who were eventually successful in the final.

Since then, the All Blacks' victory ratio has declined to 71%. The Springboks themselves lost 10 of their next 26 Test matches but, commencing of last year, have achieved victory at a frequency (83%) to match even the former Kiwi champions.

Direct Competition

Throughout the equivalent timeframe, the 'Boks have secured victory in the majority of the past fixtures between the teams, including success in the recent championship match.

During their pursuit of their most recent southern hemisphere crown, the Springboks delivered a significant beating on the New Zealand team through overwhelming display in the capital, a result which has sparked another series of debate about the direction of the squad under their leader.

Perhaps most jarring for supporters of the New Zealand team will be that, allied to their traditional strength, the Springboks' success has come with an offensive flair more typically linked with their opposition team.

Playing Philosophy

When the New Zealand team were at the height of their powers 10 years ago, they were a clinical transition team capable of shredding opponents from every section of the pitch and at any moment of the match.

Today, their attacking style is unclear as the coach, who has given numerous first caps during his two years in command, tries to first establish the more prosaic core elements of a winning team.

It has already been confirmed that the supporting manager overseeing attack, Jason Holland, will leave his role after the autumn tour, making him the next individual of Robertson's ticket to exit after previous staff member walked away last year after just limited matches.

Performance Gap

It was not merely previous achievements, but his style, that was expected to translate from his former team when he began his tenure after the 2023 World Cup but, so far, the two aspects are still a ongoing development.

Business Factors

Following investment group investors acquired shares in New Zealand rugby in 2022, the ensuing statement spoke of the "pursuit of international expansion" for the organization.

That objective has maybe been harder by the lack of a crossover star. Ardie Savea and the collection of Barrett brothers are still recognizable personalities in the sport, but the spread of talented players has expanded significantly. Their leader is the only All Black to receive global recognition in the past six seasons, in comparison to ten awards in over a decade between 2005 and '07.

Global Expansion

Instead, initiatives have been implemented to establish the New Zealand team into previously untapped markets.

The opening phase of this European campaign brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but the American city, a comeback to the stadium where Ireland secured a landmark success in the match nine years ago.

Following the relaxation of pandemic limitations, the All Blacks have furthermore