So the men in green came, they had a look and in one test almost conquered. Rugby writer Steve Hepburn looks at five questions which came out of the All Blacks-Ireland series and ponders the answers.
1) Getting better
Has there been an era where the stocks of New Zealand rugby have been so strong?
Look at the wings: there are eight to 10 guys who would not disgrace the All Black jersey.
Ben Smith is a mighty fine footballer but he even struggles to get a look in. For the No 10 jersey the cupboard looks much fuller than it was even a year ago.
Most of the new boys looked up to test standard but remember it was only Ireland.
The other men in green - South Africa - will be the test to see how deep the well is.
2) Nowhere man
Does Adam Thomson have a future in the black jersey?
It was a pity he was picked to start the second test and not the two either side. The test in Christchurch did not suit his skills. That was trench warfare while he is more of a hit and run man. A wide ranger, who appears all over the paddock.
The game is drifting more and more to having a confrontational No 6 and that is not Thomson. His test future may depend on the health of Victor Vito's knee, although Thomson is the best bench reserve of any loose forward going around.
3) Revolution
Will Richie McCaw move to the blindside?
The coach says no, McCaw himself rules it out.
But a betting man would put a wise dollar on it happening.
McCaw is tall enough to be a lineout option, can run the ball up, and is a good enough player to adjust his body to play in the more bruising position on the other side of the scrum.
For long enough anyway until Jerome Kaino comes back from Japan.
4) Hello, goodbye
How dumb will it now be for Sonny Bill Williams to leave the All Black set-up?
The bloke is finally starting to reach his potential in his home country's national sport. How good could he be with another couple of years in the black jersey?
Or is being the star of his own soap opera more important to him than gaining respect through his deeds in the black jersey?
5) Magical mystery tour
How does a team get so close one week then get utterly flogged the next?
Welcome to the beauty of sport. But the Christchurch test worked in Ireland's favour.
They played above themselves, the field was narrow, the All Blacks had a shade of complacency and those 50-50 balls the All Blacks threw did not go to hand.
And it was freezing. Forget about a covered stadium in Christchurch. Get a heated one.
