All Blacks usually quick out of the blocks

Ireland have never beaten New Zealand at rugby but just as daunting for the tourists ahead of Saturday's clash in Hamilton is the All Blacks' recent dominating record in the first test of the year.

The All Blacks have long been regarded as slow starters to their international season but in the professional era -- with one notable exception -- they have turned their first-up performances into one-sided carnivals. The average score is a 61-8 New Zealand win.

It has generally been inferior-ranked opposition on the receiving end, with the All Blacks having hammered Pacific Island opponents six times in the past 10 years.

They notched at least 50 points in each of those tests, as they did against Italy in 2002 and an understrength England in 1998.

Perhaps their most impressive opening performance was the first under coach Graham Henry in 2004 when new world champions England were humbled 36-3 at Dunedin.

However, a year earlier, the English put a massive dent in New Zealand's "first-up" record, winning 15-13 at Wellington, the first step in England's glorious 2003 path to the World Cup.

The All Blacks have lost three of their last 25 season-openers, with twin losses in Christchurch coming against the World 15 in 1992 and France in 1994.

Despite fielding two new caps -- prop Clarke Dermody and lock Greg Rawlinson -- the All Blacks will start with one of their most experienced teams for an opening encounter, boasting 394 test caps.

The loose trio of captain Richie McCaw, Marty Holah and Rodney So'oialo have played 90 tests between them, the most for any All Blacks team in 62 tests dating back to 2000 when flanker Josh Kronfeld played his final test.

That was alongside Taine Randell and Ron Cribb against South Africa at Johannesburg.

The All Blacks back three of fullback Mils Muliaina and wingers Doug Howlett and Joe Rokocoko will start their 20th test together, extending their All Blacks record as a combination.

Victory on Saturday would be the All Blacks' 17th consecutive home win, lifting them to within one of their record unbeaten streak at home, set between 1994 and 1998.

And, of course, Ireland have never tasted success against New Zealand. Their 17 losses are redeemed only by the 10-10 draw at Dublin in 1973.

- NZPA