Ireland v New Zealand - Statistical Preview

Solder Field is gearing up to host the Test between New Zealand and Ireland. We take a look at few of the key statistics ahead of the encounter on Saturday.

• Ireland and New Zealand have played 28 times since 1905 with the All Blacks victorious on 27 occasions. The 1973 Test was a 10-10 draw.
• Scott and Beauden Barrett will become the 45th set of All Blacks brothers on Saturday. Uncapped lock Scott takes a seat on the All Blacks' bench and should join the fray in the second half. Fly-half Beauden will win his 47th cap.
• Leinster young guns Garry Ringrose and Joey Carbery are in line for their Test debuts on Saturday, having been named on Ireland's bench. Centre Ringrose has made just 29 Leinster appearances and fly-half Carbery only nine provincial bows.
• Victory would see New Zealand extend their winning record for a top-tier nation to 19 matches.
• Ireland could move up to fifth in the world rankings should they record their first-ever victory over the All Blacks.
• New Zealand will field two sets of brothers on Saturday for the first time since 1961. Alongside the Barrett brothers, Julian and Ardie Savea have been named in the All Blacks' match squad. The last time New Zealand selected two sibling pairs was on July 22, 1961 when Ian and Don Clarke played alongside Colin and Stan Meads against France at Eden Park.
• Rob Kearney will start his first Test for Ireland since February, returning at full-back for his 70th cap after boss Joe Schmidt opted for an experienced starting backline.
• New Zealand will play their second Test match in Chicago on Saturday, having beaten the USA 74-6 at Soldier Field in 2014.
• Captain Rory Best will draw level with Peter Stringer on 98 appearances as Ireland's fifth most-capped player.
• All Blacks players hold the top five slots for Test match try scoring in 2016. Israel Dagg tops the list with eight, while Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea and Ben Smith have seven. Next is TJ Perenara with five.