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World Cup-winning coach Jake White believes the All Blacks are at a critical juncture in their proud rugby history.
The gap between rugby's powerhouses and the rest has been closing with breakneck speed over the last decade. In another result for the underdogs, Argentina defeated the All Blacks for the first time in front of their boisterous home fans in Buenos Aires last Saturday.
Now, the World Champion Springboks arrive on New Zealand shores with their eyes on breaking the All Blacks' incredible record at Eden Park. The hosts are unbeaten in their last 50 matches at their fortress.
But coming off the back of a historic defeat in Argentina and facing a Bok team that is on a four-win streak against their perennial rivals, the All Blacks' aura is under threat.
"Sure, they learnt how to win World Cups, but in those World Cup cycles, they are no longer the world's dominant side, leaving you with more questions rather than answers among their fanbase," Whitte wrote in his Rugby Pass column.
"Is Reiko Ioane a wing or a centre and how don't they know after 85 Tests? Does the midfield combination of Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor have the right balance?
"Is Ardie Savea a No.8 or a loosie? Is Scott Barrett the right man to be All Black captain and is his brother Beauden the right man to steer the All Blacks to the 2027 World Cup? Is the back-three potent enough?
"There are even questions off the field. Was Ian Foster the right choice to succeed Steve Hansen? Was the way in which Scott Robertson got the job, before the 2023 World Cup, the right way to go about their business when they're at their peak?"
White went on to say that the results and decisions over the next six months could well determine the future of the fabled black jersey.
"This is make or break for them," he added.
"They weren't happy when they were No. 1 in the world between World Cups, but the narrative is that they're building depth and building for the World Cup.
"I know what I would do but that's not important, but New Zealand rugby have to make a decision. They need to show why they've always been thought leaders in rugby. I should say this responsibility shouldn't all be on Scott Robertson's shoulders."The Springboks face the All Blacks in Round 3 of the Rugby Championship on 6 September.
