Brian O'Driscoll is aiming to mark his 50th match as Ireland captain by adding the only outstanding major Test scalp to his collection.
Ireland have never beaten New Zealand and their only draw was in 1973.
"Reaching 50 caps as captain is a huge honour. The first was an honour, as was being selected to captain your country for the first time," said O'Driscoll.
"I never dreamt I would reach 50 caps as captain and it does not get much bigger than the All Blacks at Croke."
Changes keeps us on our toes says Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll
O'Driscoll added: "Our record against the All Blacks speaks for itself. They are the only international team I have never beaten, whether with Ireland or the Lions.
"It is an enormous challenge. You want to prove yourself against the best sides.
"There is nothing like the feeling in a dressing room after you have taken a big scalp."
Meanwhile, flanker David Wallace enters his duel with peerless All Black openside Richie McCaw accepting he must shackle a master of his craft.
Wallace has pored over tapes of McCaw in action to prepare for his fifth meeting against a shrewd technician widely regarded as the sport's most influential player.
"As the game has evolved, so have McCaw's techniques. You can see him doing different things now that he didn't before," he said.
"You have to be on your toes to counteract everything he does. As an openside, he's the best in the world.
"It's said he sometimes plays from an offside position, but I don't agree with that.
"He just has little tricks up his sleeve - things that you might not even see unless you watch them several times over on the video.
"As players we all try to learn from each other. Hopefully he'll be looking at us to learn a few things as well."
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