For 28 matches over 111 years, it was as one-sided a rivalry as you could get, with the All Blacks winning 27 and there was one draw.

However, one famous afternoon in Chicago in November 2016 got Ireland on the board, and things have developed from there.

Another landmark victory came two years later when Ireland got their first win over New Zealand on Irish soil, with a 16-9 win in Dublin.

But the All Blacks have their fearsome reputation for a reason and they rampaged through Ireland in the World Cup quarter-finals in Japan in 2019.

Ireland hit back in Dublin in 2021, and an even bigger moment came the following summer when they not only defeated New Zealand on their own turf for the first time, but came back from a game down to win the series 2-1.

But, once more, New Zealand had the last laugh at the World Cup in France.

Ireland were in top form and had defeated South Africa in the group stages, but the All Blacks once again shattered Irish dreams with another win in the last eight.

Friday's game is the first meeting since then, and also former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton's comments about Reiko Ioane, so there should be plenty of needle.