For 111 years, 28 matches were as one-sided a rivalry as possible; The All Blacks won 27 of them and there was one draw.

But one famous afternoon in Chicago in November 2016 put Ireland on the board and things improved from there.

Another landmark victory came two years later as Ireland secured their first win against New Zealand on Irish soil with a 16-9 win in Dublin.

But the All Blacks have a fearsome reputation for a reason, and in 2019 they swept Ireland in the World Cup quarter-final in Japan.

Ireland retaliated in Dublin in 2021 and an even bigger moment came the following summer when they not only defeated New Zealand on home soil for the first time but came back to win the series 2-1.

However, New Zealand had the last laugh at the World Cup held in France.

Ireland were in top form and had beaten South Africa in the group stages, but the All Blacks crushed Ireland’s dreams once again with a win in the last eight.

Friday’s match is the first since then and also former Ireland captain Johnny Sexton’s comments about Reiko Ioane so there must be plenty of sting.