The Stats Don't Lie: 24-game streak on the line

Sam Whitelock has scored three tries in two encounters against Ireland. Photo / Getty Images

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.

Sam Whitelock and Kieran Read have both scored three tries against Ireland, while Conrad Smith has scored two.

Brian O'Driscoll has 117 test caps for Ireland, and 80 of those as captain. He is the highest try scorer of all time for Ireland, with a total of 45. He is the eighth highest try scorer in rugby union test history, and also holds the Six Nations record for most tries scored with a total of 25. This will be his tenth test against the All Blacks.

Nigel Owens will officiate in this test match - he last refereed the All Blacks in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final game against Argentina last year, and Ireland in their 9-30 loss to England in the Six Nations this year.