A campaign that began way back in June of last year comprising of four warm-up tests, a gruelling World Cup tournament, a full Six Nations schedule, domestic league and Heineken Cup assignment finally draws to a close this month.

These players have certainly earned their corn this term…no question.

Yes, this squad, under the IRFU player management programme, are probably the best-managed team in the northern hemisphere and despite this season’s heavy workload no international player has taken part in more than 30 games.

Still, the emotional toil of having of almost 12 months of continuous rugby most take its toll at some stage. That’s almost a year of team meetings, gym sessions, hitting tackle bags, video analysis, physio appointments, more team meetings…you get the idea.

Declan Kidney’s side go into Saturday’s meeting looking to break a 107-year losing streak that stretches across 24 test matches. There have been some close games in recent years but there have also been some thrashings with the 66-28 debacle in New Plymouth two years ago still fresh in the mind.

It doesn’t seem to be getting any easier against these Kiwis. Questions of fatigue aside, trying to take on the World Champions in their own backyard is hard enough at the best of times. Not to mention when you’re missing the likes of Tommy Bowe, Paul O’Connell, Stephen Ferris and Luke Fitzgerald. That’s four world-class players right there who didn’t make the 48-hour plane journey.

Alas, the door has opened for young guns like Simon Zebo, Peter O’Mahony and Darren Cave to make an impression over the next three weekends.

Zebo’s selection is most surprising given the conservative nature of Kidney’s selection in recent times. Pitting the exciting, if raw, Cork Constitution winger at this level is a huge risk but there is no denying the pace and attacking options Zebo offers.

It’s an attacking backline across the board with Keith Earls getting a run alongside Brian O’Driscoll at centre in a partnership that huge potential. How they deal with Sonny Bill Williams coming down their channel is another matter altogether.

So what kind of shape are New Zealand? Well they’ve lost iconic lock Brad Thorn to retirement. The former Canterbury man showed his quality up in Leinster this season and is huge loss the Kiwis but these pesky All Blacks produce quality players test players like Apple produce iPods.

Just when Thorn decides to hang up his boots, a strapping young lock in the form of Brodie Retallick emerges to take his place. Retallick, in his first year of top class rugby, has been a revelation for the high-flying Chiefs franchise in the Super 15 tournament this season. A tall mobile lock with a hard edge, his partnership with Sam Whitelock in the engine room holds huge promise.

Blindside enforcer Jerome Kaino is out for the season with a shoulder injury and is heading to Japan next year on a two-year deal to top up the retirement fund. Kaino is one player that New Zealand cannot replace. The teak-tough number six was one of the best in the business during last year’s World Cup with his massive

Apart from the misfiring Auckland Blues team, it’s been a hugely promising season for the New Zealand teams this season. The aforementioned Chiefs are leading the table and have been playing a dashing brand of rugby underpinned by the next generation of All Blacks including Retallick, young openside Sam Cane and monster prop Ben Tameifuna, a truly incredibly physical specimen who moves far quicker than his 140kg frame suggests.

The Crusaders, after a slow start, are starting to show their championship form in recent weeks while the Hurricanes and Highlanders have played some stunning rugby at times this season.

It’s a huge task for O’Driscoll and co this month. There is enough quality in this side to trouble New Zealand no question, but there are serious worries for this team going into the mother of all tests this weekend.

Declan Fitzpatrick, who has only seven Heineken Cup starts for Ulster to his name, will pack down against 87-cap veteran Tony Woodcock in the absence of the injured Mike Ross.

If Fitzpatrick can make an impression early on in the match at scrum then the mental boost to the rest of his pack will be seismic. Likewise Tuohy Donnacha Ryan and Peter O’Mahony can cause the All Black lineout and if the pack can generate some quick ball.

Then the likes of Sean O’Brien and Heaslip can get into the game and its game on. And with Keith Earls, O’Driscoll, Simon Zebo and an in-from Rob Kearney out wide, Ireland have the quality to cause their opponents big problems.

These are all big “what ifs?” though. The reality is that this Irish team will be at their optimum to even compete on Saturday night.

It’s going to be one hell of a battle in the most uncompromising of rugby environments. It’s a barren run that has lasted generations, and it will surely end at some stage. We wait in hope for that day to come….

Verdict: Can’t see past a convincing New Zealand victory. The All Blacks by 15-25 points.

Ireland team: Rob Kearney; Fergus McFadden, Brian O’Driscoll (C), Keith Earls, Simon Zebo; Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Mike Ross/Declan Fitzpatrick; Dan Tuohy, Donnacha Ryan; Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: Sean Cronin, Declan Fitzpatrick/Ronan Loughney, Donncha O’Callaghan, Kevin McLaughlin, Eoin Reddan, Ronan O’Gara, Darren Cave

New Zealand: Israel Dagg; Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea; Daniel Carter, Aaron Smith; Tony Woodcock, Andrew Hore, Owen Franks; Brodie Retallick, Donnacha Ryan; Peter O’Mahony, Sean O’Brien, Jamie Heaslip

Replacements: Hikawera Elliot, Ben Franks, Ali Williams, Adam Thomson, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith