New Zealand's All Blacks needed a late drop goal by Dan Carter last week to beat Ireland and Carter will miss this weekend's match.
Ireland put in arguably their best performance last weekend but it should not be forgotten that with 30 seconds to go they were not in line to win the match and only in line to draw the match.
That late victory means that the All Blacks have played Ireland 26 times and won 25 times. The best Ireland have done against New Zealand is a 10-all draw in 1973.
The overall average score between New Zealand and Ireland is New Zealand 28 and Ireland 11. In New Zealand the average score is New Zealand 33 Ireland 44.
The average score between the two Nations this month is 32 -15 (14.5) which shows how much Ireland stepped up last weekend.
The All Blacks have made six changes to their team for this week's clash including Aaron Cruden coming in for Dan Carter. Ordinarily that would be a blow but Cruden will be partnered with Sonny Bill Williams who he has played with all season in Super Rugby.
Richie McCaw has moved at the back of the scrum to cover for Kieran Read who misses the match. The team is not necessarily a weaker team but Ireland are probably happier to be facing this team than the one they played last week.
Ireland have named their strongest available team and have brought in Keith Earls in place of Andrew Trimble. Jamie Heaslip is out of the match and is replaced by Peter O'Mahony.
The mystery in this match is whether losing last week's match will stop Ireland from getting up for this week as the series is lost.
The match at Waikato Stadium, Hamilton is a sell out so the pressure will be on again. Arguably the pressure will be on the All Blacks after last week's escape.
The Bookies have given Ireland a 16 point start for this match - with an offer of Bet 5 and Get 50 in Bets. Ireland impressed last week but their performances throughout history make it look more like a one off. New Zealand should win by 11.
This match will be shown on TV in NZ, Aus, SA and in the UK on Sky Sports.
Average score: New Zealand 28 Ireland 11
Last five results
16 Jun 2012 NZL v IRE 22-19 Rugby League Pk, Christchurch
09 Jun 2012 NZL v IRE 42-10 Eden Park, Auckland
20 Nov 2010 NZL v IRE 38-18 Lansdowne Rd, Dublin
12 Jun 2010 NZL v IRE 66-28 New Plymouth
15 Nov 2008 NZL v IRE 22-3 Croke Park, Dublin
New Zealand's overall record against Ireland
Played 26 , Wins 25, Losses 0, Draws 1
Match Officials
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzere (France), James Leckie (Australia)
Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia)
Teams
New Zealand
(15-1) Israel Dagg; Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear; Aaron Cruden, Aaron Smith; Richie McCaw (captain), Sam Cane, Liam Messam; Samuel Whitelock, Luke Romano; Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Beauden Barrett, Tamati Ellison.
Ireland
15 . Rob Kearney , 14 . Fergus McFadden , 13 . Brian O'Driscoll (C), 12 . Paddy Wallace, 11 . Keith Earls , 10 . Jonathan Sexton , 9 . Conor Murray , 1 . Cian Healy , 2 . Rory Best , 3 . Mike Ross , 4 . Dan Tuohy , 5 . Donnacha Ryan , 6 . Kevin McLaughlin , 7 . Sean O'Brien , 8 . Peter O'Mahony
Replacements:, 16 . Sean Cronin , 17 . Declan Fitzpatrick , 18 . Donncha O'Callaghan , 19 . Chris Henry , 20 . Eoin Reddan , 21 . Ronan O'Gara , 22 . Andrew Trimble
