Sam Whitelock has scored three tries in two encounters against Ireland. Photo / Getty Images
Opinion
There have been 24 test matches between New Zealand and Ireland, with the All Blacks winning all but one of those games - a 10-all draw at Landsdowne Road in 1973.
The last time the countries met was November 2010, when the All Blacks won 38-18 in Dublin. In
June of that same year the All Blacks notched up their highest score against Ireland with a 66-28 win in New Plymouth.
The All Blacks have a winning sequence of 27 tests at Eden Park, including two test matches against Ireland in 2002 and 2006. Ireland have one victory under their belt at Eden Park, their Rugby World Cup group match win over Australia last year.
Brodie Retallick will become the second youngest lock to debut for the All Blacks, being just two days older than Mark Cooksley who was 21 years and seven days old when he made his All Blacks debut in 1992. Retallick's locking partner this weekend, Sam Whitelock, was also 21 when he made his debut.
Daniel Carter will become the most capped All Blacks first five-eighth this weekend, playing his 71st test (of his 86 tests overall) in the number 10 jersey. This takes him pass Andrew Mehrtens, who still holds the record for most points (33) and most penalty goals (six) in a test against Ireland. Carter holds the All Blacks' record for the most conversions (seven) in a test against Ireland.
Carter has scored a total of 53 points against Ireland having kicked 13 conversions and nine penalty goals, but is yet to score a try against them.
