Ireland - New Zealand has been one of rugby's premier rivalries over the last eight years, with eight meetings between the sides since 2016, and consistent servings of fascinating encounters.
Ahead of their World Cup quarter-final meeting next Saturday, we have taken a look at six areas that have shaped the rivalry over the last seven years.
Ireland Vs New Zealand, Chicago, 2016
The game that made history and set Ireland on a course of unprecedented success against the game's most feared nation.
No longer were Ireland at the back of the minds of New Zealanders, they were a new force to be reckoned with - a mere four years after their 60-0 drubbing in Hamilton.
It was arguably the pinnacle of Schmidt ball, or at least the most clinical performance seen during his reign. Every time Ireland had so much as in inkling that points could be on the cards, points were taken.
To pick stand out moment, there are a few that have a claim: the tribute to Axel, the Zebo leap, Murray's hit on Savea etc..
The rivalry over the coming years perhaps doesn't grow legs if Chicago 2016 doesn't happen.
READ HERE: Ireland Staffer Names Main Change Farrell Made To Camp After Replacing Joe Schmidt
Ireland Vs New Zealand, World Cup 2019
Ireland won five out of eight meetings between the sides from 2016 onwards, but they would all be given up for a quarter-final win in Chofu.
It was the low-point of the Schmidt years, his last game in charge, and definitive proof that it was time to move on a from a game plan that had yielded much success but was also past its sell by date.
Going into the game, confidence and expectations were low, and Ireland got what they paid for when they were handed a 46-14 defeat.
Ireland Vs New Zealand, Summer 2022
One of the rarest and most sought after achievements in rugby - a series win in New Zealand.
Whatever the state of All Black rugby, no matter how far their fans or media believe them to have fallen, they will always be supremely hard to take down on home turf.
This was displayed in no uncertain terms during their 42-10 first test win at fortress Eden Park.
But it mattered not as Ireland put them to the sword in the remaining games, playing an utterly devastating brand of rugby that is still being honed by Andy Farrell and his men.
READ HERE: Clive Woodward Is Incredibly Confident That Ireland Will Beat New Zealand
Questionable Hits
There is no specific moment or hit here, but the rivalry since 2016 has produced some dirtier moments from both teams some accidental, for others the jury is still out.
Just this week, Brodie Retallick has brought up the yellow card tackle from Andrew Porter that saw him break his cheekbone last summer.
It was a particularly contentious tackle given that Angus Ta'avao had received a red card in the previous test for a similar head-to-head hit on Garry Ringrose.
The award for the dirtiest challenge is shared by Malakai Fekitoa for his 2016 close line on Simon Zebo, and Leicester Fainga'anuku's outrageous flying shoulder charge to the face of Mack Hansen, which was only deemed worthy of a yellow card.
War of Words
“Who do you think you are? You’re a shit Richie McCaw pal".
No doubt New Zealand captain Sam Cane will be looking to show Peter O'Mahony, in no uncertain terms, that what the Ireland n0.6 said to him last summer could not be further from the truce.
All Blacks hooker Dane Coles was also picked up saying some choice words about Johnny Sexton during Ireland's 2021 win at the Aviva Stadium.
When you take Retallick's comments into account, and Ian Foster's take on Ireland vs South Africa, there will be needle going into the match.
Referee Luke Pearce wants less chat from Ireland captain Johnny Sexton
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Joe Schmidt
Despite his disappointing end with Ireland, Schmidt's reputation as a top rugby mind is still intact, and his addition to the New Zealand fold was seen as a shrewd move by a team in need of stability and structure.
Schmidt was such a larger than life presence in Irish rugby since joining Leinster in 2010, that his knowledge of the side will undoubtedly be a big part of the discourse, and, as mentioned by Foster, will be an invaluable resource to the All Black set-up.
19 November 2016; New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen, right, with Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt ahead of the Autumn International match between Ireland and New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
SEE ALSO: All Black Hasn't Forgotten Controversial Moment From Last Ireland Clash
