Ireland have taken us on a memorable journey over the past four years, but it has all been building to this point. The big one. Another World Cup quarter-final against the mighty All Blacks.

What we don't want is a familiar ending. Ireland have never got the job done in a World Cup quarter-final. Losing quarter-finals isn't much fun, and whether the Irish players want to admit it or not, the weight of history is definitely a factor this weekend.

But this feels like Ireland's greatest opportunity.

Why? Because this Ireland team are different. Unlike Irish teams in the past, they don't rely on passion and emotion.

This group of players have a phenomenal level of confidence in their ability and never seem to get too ahead of themselves. They are even-keeled and have a singular focus that will surely benefit them this weekend.

They have passed every test they have faced since last summer, and whereas some Irish teams in the past would have feared the All Blacks, this group will see Saturday as another chance to prove they are the best around.

For Andy Farrell, who has made this opportunity possible, this is exactly where he wanted to be when he took over four years ago, and he could not have done a better job preparing Ireland for another crack at the business end of the World Cup.

The series win in New Zealand, beating South Africa twice, the Grand Slam. They have all served to build Ireland's character and belief that they can go where no Irish team has gone before.

'Improved All Blacks out to prove a point'

Ireland are the form team in this World Cup, but while beating South Africa a few weeks back in Pool B felt huge, this is going to be a whole other level of intensity.

In the quarter-final four years ago, New Zealand showed Ireland the standard required to thrive at this stage. New Zealand were 22-0 up at half-time and Ireland, if we're being honest, were never really in it. They were far too good. But it's hard to see a repeat, or even anything close to it, happening this time.

New Zealand, though, are still extremely dangerous. People have been calling them underdogs for this one. That will only fire them up and fuel their desire for revenge against Ireland.

There is no prouder rugby nation than the All Blacks. Losing that series on home soil would have really stung them. Because of that, they will be out to prove a point and silence what I expect to be another massive Irish crowd in Stade de France.

And in Joe Schmidt, the All Blacks have the best man to plot an Irish downfall in Paris. With Schmidt, New Zealand have clearly improved. They have been talking themselves up this week but I don't think it's just bluster. They have been building impressively in this tournament.

Schmidt's fingerprints are all over this All Blacks side. His attention to detail is second to none and he will be poring over every possible scenario in order to outwit his former assistant Farrell on Saturday.

Farrell has benefited from the foundations Schmidt built. There is no doubt about that, but Farrell has managed to keep in place a lot of Schmidt's fundamental principles while building a sense of trust and enjoyment within the camp. That has been a key theme of the Farrell era.

Schmidt is still early enough in his journey with the All Blacks and you can see they are not quite where Ireland were at their peak under him, but they are still a lot better than what we saw in the Test series last summer.

In saying that, I am confident that Ireland can get the job done and finally give the nation a World Cup semi-final to look forward to.

This Irish team have a robustness about them. They are comfortable with being the best team in the world. When have we ever been able to say that in the past?

In terms of performance, hopefully Ireland have bottled some of the brilliance they showed against Scotland, particularly in the first half.

All the training they have dedicated to running shape, running timing, it has really paid dividends. Yes, New Zealand are stronger opposition than Scotland but when the Irish attack clicks the way it did against the Scots last week, I'm not sure any team can stop it.

The Irish will need a herculean effort in defence as well. New Zealand have players who can turn a game in their favour in an instant. We've seen how hungry they have been recently, scoring 25 tries in the wins over Namibia and Italy.

The Irish back row's ability to nullify the All Black threat could go a long way in deciding this one, but everything we have seen to this point suggests they have it in them to make it another special night for Irish fans in Paris.

Tommy Bowe was speaking to BBC Sport NI's Matt Gault