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Seeking what would be just a fifth northern hemisphere clean sweep in their legendary past, the All Blacks have embarked on their tour at an interesting juncture.

Fixtures against Ireland, the Scottish side, the English squad and Wales await Scott Robertson's side across the next four weekends but, in addition to the possibility to equal the teams of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the annals of rugby, the games will be used as a yardstick to assess the progress of the team under a leader now two years on from beginning his tenure.

Present Difficulties

Concerns over a lack of an clear playing identity, continuing controversies over player choices and departures from the coaching ticket have all contributed to the feeling that the best-known side in the sport is now one in a state of flux.

Most importantly, it is the decline in performances from a previous peak set between the World Cups of the last decade that has led some to suggest that we have moved out of the period of Kiwi superiority.

Recent History

Prior to their departure for the fall series, it was confirmed that in the coming year, in the absence of the Rugby Championship, New Zealand will play South Africa in a summer series called 'an unprecedented series'.

In the past the rugby's premier teams, there is no question over who has lately dominated of what promoters have called 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'.

In recent seasons, the Springboks have claimed a couple of World Cups, three Rugby Championships and a series against the British and Irish Lions to be considered as the team of their era.

New Zealand have continued to beat the Irish team when it counts most, defeating Saturday's opponents in the tournament knockout stages of the past two tournaments. They have, meanwhile, lost just a couple of the last fixtures with England, have overcome the Welsh side in each game since the sixties and have never suffered defeat by the Scottish team.

Changing Dynamics

But the diminishment of their position as the rugby's benchmark will persist as an irritation.

While the New Zealand team dominated through the previous decade - winning eighty-seven percent of their fixtures, as well as winning the global trophy on multiple times - the World Cup of 2019 can now be viewed as when the hierarchical structure shifted in the international rugby.

The All Blacks beat South Africa in their opening match of the competition in Japan, but it was the South Africans who were eventually successful in the final.

After that event, the New Zealand's victory ratio has declined to 71%. South Africa themselves were defeated in 10 of their subsequent fixtures but, commencing of last year, have won at a frequency (eighty-three percent) to rival even the last great New Zealand team.

Direct Competition

During the same period, the Springboks have won the majority of the seven meetings between the sides, featuring success in the recent championship match.

In claiming their current regional title, South Africa inflicted a significant beating on the New Zealand team courtesy of dominant performance in their home ground, a outcome which has ignited another series of controversy about the development of the squad under their leader.

Possibly most jarring for fans of the New Zealand team will be that, alongside their usual power, the Springboks' achievement has come with an offensive flair more usually associated with their opposition team.

Team Identity

At the time that the All Blacks were at the height of their capabilities 10 years ago, they were a ruthless counter-attacking unit capable of shredding competitors from every section of the pitch and at all times of the game.

Currently, their attacking style is unclear as Robertson, who has given 19 debuts during his 24 months in control, tries to first establish the fundamental building blocks of a winning team.

It has previously announced that the backroom staff member overseeing scoring, their offensive coordinator, will leave his role after the autumn tour, making him the second member of Robertson's ticket to depart after Leon MacDonald left last year after just five Tests.

Expectations vs Reality

It was not merely his winning record, but his methodology, that was anticipated to translate from previous club when he assumed control after the recent tournament but, as yet, both continue to be a continuous improvement.

Organizational Strategy

Following investment group investors bought a stake in New Zealand rugby in recent years, the subsequent announcement discussed the "search of new global opportunities" for the brand.

That objective has perhaps been harder by the shortage of a crossover star. Ardie Savea and the trio of related players continue to be recognizable personalities in the sport, but the concentration of talented players has expanded significantly. Savea is the single All Black to earn World Player of the Year in the current era, in opposition to ten awards in over a decade between previous generations.

Global Expansion

Rather, efforts have been made to establish the New Zealand team into emerging regions.

The first leg of this European campaign brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a comeback to the Soldier Field venue where Ireland obtained a historic win in the fixture during past tours.

Following the relaxation of health protocols, the All Blacks have also