🔗 Share this article Can the All Blacks rediscover their spark during the fall tour? The New Zealand team have won seventy-one percent of their matches during the current decade Pursuing what would be just a fifth tour victory in their illustrious legacy, the All Blacks have embarked on their tour at an pivotal moment. Games against the Irish team, the Scottish side, England and the Welsh team await the New Zealand team across the coming month but, quite aside from the possibility to join the sides of previous successful tours in the history books, the fixtures will be used as a measure to assess the progress of the team under a manager now 24 months into from beginning his tenure. Present Difficulties Doubts over a absence of an identifiable style, ongoing discussions over selection and departures from the management team have all fueled the feeling that the most recognisable team in the rugby is presently one in a state of flux. Most significantly, it is the decline in outcomes from a past excellence set between the global tournaments of the last decade that has caused some to suggest that we have evolved beyond of the period of New Zealand dominance. Team Record Ahead of their departure for the fall series, it was confirmed that in the coming year, in the non-existence of the southern hemisphere competition, New Zealand will play the Springboks in a warm-weather tour dubbed 'a unique competition'. Traditionally the sport's top competitors, there is little doubt over who has recently got the better of what marketers have labeled 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry'. Over the past seven years, the South African team have won a couple of World Cups, three southern hemisphere titles and a series against the northern hemisphere selection to be viewed as the squad of their period. New Zealand have persisted to beat Ireland when it is crucial, defeating this weekend's rivals in the World Cup quarter finals of the past two tournaments. They have, meanwhile, been defeated in just a pair of the recent encounters with England, have defeated Wales in each game since the sixties and have always been victorious by Scotland. Changing Dynamics But the loss of their status as the rugby's benchmark will remain frustrating. Whereas the New Zealand team excelled through the last ten years - winning 87% of their fixtures, as well as claiming the World Cup on several instances - the global tournament of the previous competition can now be regarded as when the hierarchical structure moved in the world sport. The All Blacks defeated South Africa in their initial fixture of the tournament in the host nation, but it was the South Africans who were ultimately triumphant in the final. From that point, the All Blacks' victory ratio has dropped to seventy-one percent. The Springboks themselves were defeated in 10 of their following games but, from the beginning of last year, have achieved victory at a frequency (83%) to rival even the previous All Blacks side. The New Zealand team will play four Tests against the Springboks in future seasons Head-to-Head Throughout the equivalent timeframe, the 'Boks have secured victory in five of the past fixtures between the sides, comprising success in the latest global tournament decider. During their pursuit of their current southern hemisphere crown, Rassie Erasmus' side inflicted a historic loss on the All Blacks thanks to overwhelming display in the capital, a outcome which has sparked another round of discussion concerning the development of the team under their leader. Perhaps most concerning for supporters of the All Blacks will be that, allied to their traditional strength, South Africa's triumph has come with an offensive flair more typically linked with their own side. Style Evolution At the time that the All Blacks were at the height of their abilities 10 years ago, they were a devastating offensive machine able of dismantling opponents from every section of the pitch and at any point of the contest. Today, their playing philosophy is more ambiguous as the coach, who has awarded multiple new players during his two years in command, tries to primarily create the basic foundations of a successful side. It has already been confirmed that the supporting manager responsible for offense, their offensive coordinator, will exit the team after the autumn tour, making him the second member of the coaching staff to depart after another coach departed last year after just a handful of games. Expectations vs Reality It was not just his winning record, but his style, that was predicted to carry over from previous club when he began his tenure after the recent tournament but, so far, the two aspects are still a work in progress. Ardie Savea was awarded global player of the year in the previous season Commercial Considerations When financial organization investors bought a stake in All Blacks in the past, the ensuing statement discussed the "search of new global opportunities" for the team. That goal has perhaps been more difficult by the shortage of a international celebrity. The current captain and the collection of related players are still recognizable personalities in the rugby, but the concentration of talented players has expanded significantly. The captain is the only All Black to win World Player of the Year in the current era, in contrast to 10 in 13 years between the mid-2000s. Global Expansion Alternatively, attempts have been made to transplant the New Zealand team into emerging regions. The first leg of this 'Grand Slam' tour brings the All Blacks not to Dublin but Chicago, a return to the location where Ireland achieved a landmark success in the fixture in previous seasons. Following the relaxation of Covid-19 travel restrictions, the New Zealand team have also