KEY POINTS:
It has been a recurring theme for Ireland in recent seasons. Three times they have been shaded by the All Blacks as they have searched for something to equal or better the solitary draw 35 years ago at Lansdowne Rd.
Each time, since they were walloped at home
in the Grand Slam tour of 2005, the Irish have pushed hard but without quite the conviction that at last they were about to inveigle their way into history. It is a rugged barrier, though when challenged on that issue manager Paul McNaughton claimed: "I don't believe there is any psychological block there."
But it is an unwanted record, a noose which cuts into the Irish psyche each time they front the All Blacks. It is almost as if at critical times in games, they doubt their right to overthrow the black-jerseyed titans.
Once again they are talking a strong game on the eve of their 22nd meeting against the All Blacks, this time at Croke Park, where 80,300 will cram into the ground which is being used for rugby internationals while Lansdowne Rd is being rebuilt.
Ireland have tried to shift the heat away from their camp by suggesting all the pressure will be on the All Blacks to maintain their 103-year unbeaten stretch against tomorrow's hosts. It is a tactic they have used before, without success, but the All Blacks have shown how highly they regard their foes by picking their top combination.
"This is probably the toughest time to play New Zealand," new coach Declan Kidney said as he viewed opponents intent on smoothing some of the ragged edges they last displayed against the Wallabies in Hong Kong.
Ireland do have the look of a side with more armour in their backs, with Luke Fitzgerald in midfield, Tommy Bowe on the wing and Girvan Dempsey restored to fullback around imperious captain Brian O'Driscoll. And they do have six Munstermen in a grafting, battling pack used to the sort of slogging rugby conditions predicted for this test.
While Kidney has created change and built depth in the squad, the All Blacks will fancy their chances of an edge and precious momentum in four areas.
In the scrum, they will target tighthead prop John Hayes, whose lineout lifting, driving, tackling and hard slog are all strong ingredients but whose scrummaging has never been regarded by New Zealanders as his forte.
After last week's marathon scrum resets in Edinburgh, referee Mark Lawrence will have been told to be more decisive about scrum infringements and if Tony Woodcock and Co can disrupt Hayes' side of the scrum, subsequent penalties may be gold for Daniel Carter in the conditions.
The second-string All Black scrum were not as cohesive last week as tomorrow's combination should be.
The All Blacks are also blessed with skipper Richie McCaw who has shaded his opposite David Wallace repeatedly and will be looking to quickly get on the same page as the match officials.
The pincer movements should be aimed at new Irish halfback Tomas O'Leary and first receiver Ronan O'Gara. O'Leary comes with a strong reputation for speed and tough defence but there have been enough questions about the lack of snap in his pass to have the All Blacks pack and Jimmy Cowan salivating. Especially if conditions are difficult and it takes him even a fraction longer to sort out his delivery.
His first full test, against the All Blacks, is one to jangle anyone's nerves.
Any delay will add to the heat on his provincial five-eighths O'Gara, while again, his defence will be checked out thoroughly. An early test from Ma'a Nonu would be just the ticket to gauge whether the Irishman's technical prowess and confrontation has improved.
On the other hand, if Ireland get on a roll backed by the hearty Guinness-fuelled roars of their supporters, men like O'Driscoll and Fitzgerald will be looking to shred the defensive alignment of Nonu and Conrad Smith.
Mils Muliaina has returned to cover the back and deploy the Fijian wings and has been talking tough about coping with his lack of recent rugby and health problems with his first-born. Like the All Blacks, he can't afford to start slowly or stutter if his mind is elsewhere.
This will be a notch up from Murrayfield. The Irish have a fire in their eyes, they talk of getting even more support at Croke than Lansdowne. If they get going, it could be a belter but you still fancy the All Blacks to stack Stage 2 of the Grand Slam quest safely in their kitbag.