Can the New Zealand rugby team rediscover their spark during the fall tour?
Seeking what would be just a fifth 'Grand Slam' in their illustrious legacy, the All Blacks have embarked on their tour at an interesting juncture.
Games 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 join the squads of 1978, 2005, 2008 and 2010 in the history books, the matches will be used as a benchmark to measure the progress of the team under a manager now well established from beginning his tenure.
Team Issues
Doubts over a shortage of an clear playing identity, ongoing discussions over player choices and exits from the backroom staff have all added to the sense that the most recognisable team in the game is currently one in a time of change.
Most importantly, it is the decline in results from a previous peak set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has led some to speculate that we have moved out of the age of All Black exceptionalism.
Team Record
Prior to their journey for the fall series, it was announced that in the coming year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will face South Africa in a off-season matches called 'an unprecedented series'.
Traditionally the rugby's premier teams, there is no question over who has currently outperformed of what marketers have described 'The Premier Rivalry'.
During the last decade, the South African team have claimed a two of global tournaments, three southern hemisphere titles and a tour against the British and Irish Lions to be considered as the squad of their era.
The All Blacks have persisted to overcome the Irish team when it counts most, defeating this weekend's rivals in the global competition of 2019 and '23. They have, meanwhile, been defeated in just a pair of the last fixtures with England, have beaten Wales in each game since 1963 and have remained unbeaten by the Scottish team.
Shifting Balance
But the decline of their standing as the game's gold standard will continue to rankle.
While the All Blacks dominated through the 2010s - winning eighty-seven percent of their fixtures, as well as claiming the World Cup on two occasions - the World Cup of the previous competition can now be seen as when the hierarchical structure changed in the world sport.
New Zealand overcame South Africa in their opening match of the tournament in the host nation, but it was the South Africans who were finally victorious in the championship match.
From that point, the New Zealand's success rate has fallen to seventy-one percent. South Africa themselves lost ten of their subsequent fixtures but, since the start of last year, have achieved victory at a frequency (eighty-three percent) to rival even the last great New Zealand team.
Recent Encounters
Over the equivalent timeframe, the 'Boks have secured victory in five of the past fixtures between the sides, including success in the 2023 World Cup final.
In claiming their latest regional title, South Africa inflicted a historic loss on the New Zealand team courtesy of dominant performance in the capital, a score which has sparked another round of discussion about the development of the team under Robertson.
Perhaps most concerning for followers of the All Blacks will be that, combined with their traditional strength, the Springboks' success has come with an creative approach more typically linked with their traditional rivals.
Playing Philosophy
During the period when the New Zealand team were at the height of their powers 10 years ago, they were a clinical transition team capable of dismantling opponents from all areas of the field and at all times of the contest.
Today, their attacking style is less defined as Robertson, who has handed out numerous first caps during his two years in control, tries to initially build the fundamental foundations of a competitive squad.
It has already been confirmed that the backroom staff member in charge of scoring, their offensive coordinator, will depart his position after the autumn tour, making him the second member of the coaching staff to exit after previous staff member departed last year after just five Tests.
Expectations vs Reality
It was not only Robertson's success, but his style, that was predicted to carry over from his former team when he began his tenure after the 2023 World Cup but, so far, each are still a continuous improvement.
Commercial Considerations
After financial organization the company bought a stake in All Blacks in recent years, the subsequent announcement spoke of the "search of worldwide growth" for the brand.
That goal has perhaps been more challenging by the lack of a crossover star. Ardie Savea and the trio of Barrett brothers are still household names in the game, but the concentration of stars has never been spread wider. Savea is the single New Zealand player to receive international honors in the past six seasons, in comparison to ten awards in multiple seasons between 2005 and '07.
International Growth
Rather, initiatives have been made to introduce the All Blacks into emerging regions.
The first leg of this northern hemisphere series brings the All Blacks not to the Irish capital but Chicago, a comeback to the stadium where the Irish team achieved a historic win in the match during past tours.
After the easing of health protocols, the New Zealand team have also