Rugby: Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong knows a thing or two about beating the All Blacks

Tadhg Furlong runs out to face the All Blacks in Chicago. Photo / Getty

'All Blacks slayer' is a term you don't hear often especially during the New Zealand's current reign in world rugby which has produced two World Cup titles and almost nine straight years in the number one ranking.

But Irish prop Tadhg Furlong is about as close as they come to having the rub of the green over Steve Hansen's men.

Furlong is expected to be named in the front row for Sunday's clash in Dublin, which would be his sixth test against the All Blacks. Not many current players in world rugby have experienced multiple victories over the All Blacks but Furlong and teammate Johnny Sexton are two exceptions.

Furlong started the 2016 test victory in Chicago, his first ever game against the All Blacks and just the ninth test of his career. Ireland, of course, stunned New Zealand 40-29 to produce their first win over the men in black.

He then experienced what it's like to lose to the All Blacks just two weeks later in a testy encounter in Dublin.

However, the Leinster prop was part of the successful British and Irish Lions squad last year which produced another victory over the All Blacks and a draw to leave Furlong with just two defeats from five tests against New Zealand.

Two wins against the All Blacks might not sound like much but consider Wallabies lock Rob Simmons who has played 21 tests against New Zealand to achieve just two victories. Furlong Irish compatriot Brian O'Driscoll faced the All Blacks 14 times, resulting in 14 defeats.

While there have been some claims the All Blacks are currently 'vulnerable', ahead of the third Lions test last year Furlong wasn't game enough to bite at a probe questioning the All Blacks' aura after handing them a second test defeat.

"It's a tough question to answer. You always fear the All Blacks in the way that if you don't man up and meet them head-on-head it's a tough day at the office," Furlong said.

"I remember in Dublin coming off the pitch and being absolutely shattered and being sore for days after. It was probably one of the most brutal test matches I've ever played in my short career," Furlong said.

Furlong also has an 'All Blacks slayer' in his corner.

Defence coach Andy Farrell was part of the England coaching staff that dealt to the All Blacks in 2012 before joining Ireland and the Lions tour.