Not long to go lads. The moment of truth awaits as Ireland take on New Zealand in the last game of the Guinness Series, this Saturday in Dublin.
All eyes will be on the Aviva stadium @7pm as the shamrock goes up against the fern leaf in a battle of No.1 vs No.2. But who will come out on top?
A man who knows what it's like to feel the might of the Maoris is former Ireland, Leinster and Lions hooker, Shane 'The Mullet' Byrne.
Speaking on Today FM's Dermot and Dave, the Wicklow native tells us why, in his words, "I really think Ireland are gonna win".
Byrne is so impressed with what Joe Schmidt has achieved with the team, and the way he has built such a powerful squad.
He has no doubt the likes of Conor Murray and Seán O'Brien will be missed, with O'Brien having "no fear of New Zealand", as he put it, but it's like Byrne says, "the competition is fierce", and with such strength in depth, the replacements are chewing at the bit to get their chance to shine.
One thing he is worried about though is that we'll will leave things too late, giving this warning, "Ireland have to make sure it doesn't come down to the last second".
And for anyone thinking this game has an air of a 'friendly' about it, it's time to wake up. This tie is one of the most important matches we might ever play with regards rankings, which was summed when Shane said, "being No.2 in the world is huge thing, and we deserve to be No.2. But if we beat them, we're very close to being No.1".
Imagine...Ireland the number one team in world rugby????
Then there's the mouth-watering match-up between Sexton and Bauden Barrett, in what he describes as a game that is going to be "very high scoring".
They also have a good laugh about Shane's love of heavy metal, "angry music is exactly what I wanted", and hail the "New Zealand Mullet Movement".
What a legend @shanebyrneoffic is, and he's only delighted with the mullet-comeback! He's also got the inside scoop on New Zealand ahead of our big game on Saturday. COME ON IRELAND! 🇮🇪@Legacy_Consult @VolkswagenIE pic.twitter.com/6pLnHm4iYY
— Today FM (@TodayFM) November 15, 2018
It's always going to be business at the front and party at the back for Shane Byrne lads!!
Check out the fun in full by pressing the play button in the image at the bottom of the screen.
