IN 2015, A lot of Irish rugby’s focus will be on finally breaking the streak and making the semi-final of a World Cup for the first time. But while that would be excellent, a victory against our rugby overlords is something that is even longer overdue.

Ireland have played the All Blacks 28 times since 1905 and have lost 27 of those matches, with one draw coming at Lansdowne Road in 1973. That record is pitiful, but there is evidence that Ireland is getting close to toppling the New Zealanders.

Two of their last three clashes have been decided in the dying moments.

In the summer of 2012, a snap drop goal from DC10 denied Ireland another draw after Nigel Owens had wrongly penalised Ireland at an attackig scrum in a position of dominance moments earlier.

And we all remember the most excruciating moment in the history of Irish rugby in the autumn of 2013. I have the immaculate record of never having had a filling or a tooth pulled, but I imagine it would be something like watching this clip.

Of course sandwiched in between those two gutsy Irish displays… was a 60-0 defeat (I wish I could have typed that sentence in a mumble).

Given that New Zealand have never lost a pool game at a World Cup, and that they have another handy enough group this time around, Ireland have two opportunities to play them: the quarter-final or the final.

So if this sporting wish goes to plan, Ireland will face off against the All Blacks in the showpiece at Twickenham on Halloween night.

Wouldn’t that be so Joe Schmidt-like? After Ireland win the Grand Slam this spring, it is a logical next step for Schmidt.

The only issue is that after Ireland beat the All Blacks in the final, causing massive humiliation back in New Zealand, their union will buy Steve Hansen out of his last two years and steal Schmidt.

But hey, two 6 Nations titles and a World Cup win coupled with our first victory over the All Blacks would be a decent haul to leave behind, wouldn’t it?