Ireland V All Blacks: Three contests to set the tone

Ahead of Saturday's showdown between the top two teams in the world, Simon Lewis takes a look at three key match-ups to look out for.

Full-back: Experience v electricity

In the green corner, Ireland’s experienced last line of defence Rob Kearney, set to win his 87th cap after overcoming a shoulder injury that sidelined him for three weeks.

And in the black corner, an exciting second playmaker in Damian McKenzie to tag team with fly-half Beauden Barrett.

This is an archetypal contrast in styles as Kearney is composure personified having proved his mettle at the highest level for a decade, not least when rising to the challenge and putting in a landmark performance in the victory over New Zealand in Chicago in 2016.

The 32-year-old brings authority under the high ball and reassurance to the rest of his backline whereas McKenzie is a livewire with electric pace, excellent footwork and a fly-half’s creative instincts that allows the All Blacks boss Steve Hansen to switch him and starting fly-half Barrett between the 10 and 15 roles.

Fly-half: Creator v runner

The fact both Johnny Sexton and Beauden Barrett have been nominated for World Rugby’s Player of the Year award, to be decided later this month, speaks volumes about their importance to and influence on their respective teams.

Yet that is where the comparison realistically ends, with Ireland boss Joe Schmidt commenting yesterday: “Well, they are a little bit different, aren’t they?” We’ll let Schmidt explain further.

“Beauden tends to run a little bit more because he has that running threat. He tends to be looking for second touches, so he wants to get re-involved after being involved.

"Johnny is looking to set up other players and bring other players into the game.

Beauden does it because he is such a threat himself, you can’t leave him with any space at all. Therefore other players around him get space.

"Johnny creates space because of his timing and his acumen. I’m not saying that Beauden Barrett doesn’t have that.

"I think it’s just a real strength of Johnny. He’s well capable of running, even picking and going.”

Another clear difference between Sexton and Barrett is their goal-kicking, with the Irishman more accurate and consistent off the tee.

Tighthead v loosehead

Just five months and 11 internationals into his Test career with New Zealand, Karl Tu’inukuafe’s loosehead prop education reaches a significant stage tomorrow evening when the 25-year-old comes face to face with Ireland’s best-in-class tighthead Tadhg Furlong.

Just three months separate the rivals in age but Furlong’s marginal seniority having turned 26 on Wednesday, is nothing compared to the vast experience the Irishman has already accumulated.

In five games against the All Blacks, Furlong has two wins and a draw to his name and will have Tu’inukuafe in his sights in a tantalising scrum battle.

The Kiwi, a former security guard, has shed plenty of kilos to a current fighting weight of 130 kilos, four kg heavier than Furlong but he faces a real test of his scrummaging talents tomorrow less than a year into his first professional contract.