We're coming to that post-victory juncture in Ireland's November schedule where the mind begins to wander forwards toward an apoplectic All Blacks' arrival in Dublin, as opposed to reminiscing on what was a historic day for Irish rugby in Chicago.
Christ, we have - to a person - milked it, and with good reason. But before the pre-rematch nerves kick in next week, we're taking one last opportunity to bask in the enormity of Ireland's achievement on Saturday. It was well documented that, during New Zealand's reign of terror over their southern hemisphere 'neighbours', they conceded just five tries in the Rugby Championship, with Ireland matching that tally in the Windy City alone. But what other All Blacks runs did Ireland halt in their tracks? Here are five which offer further perspective on the enormity of such a compelling victory, beginning with the the most important...
The end of the famous New Zealand winning streak
Since defeat to Australia on August 8th, 2015, the current New Zealand crop had won 18 tests on the spin, breaking the record for Tier 1 nations with a resounding victory over the same opposition last month.
That 18-test run came to an abrupt end in Chicago, and to this all-time great New Zealand side's credit, seems unlikely to be beaten unless it's by Steve Hansen's men once more.
It began with Richie McCaw's final game on home soil, and a 41-13 demolition of Australia in Auckland. In New Zealand's 18 consecutive victories, they racked up a 751-point total - an average of just over 41 points per game. Their 29-point return versus Ireland in Chicago was their joint-second lowest score in 19 tests.
The Kiwis' run of 8-plus points differentials comes to an end
Prior to the showdown in Chicago, New Zealand had gone 11 straight tests winning by more than a converted try, going back to last year's Rugby World Cup semi-final against South Africa which they won 20-18. This is a record for Tier 1 nations, with only the mighty Cyprus (14) and Brazil (13) winning more consecutive games by over seven points.
New Zealand only led Ireland once in Chicago, by two points at 5-3 early in the first half, and would ultimately themselves lose by more than a converted try, with Robbie Henshaw's thunderous burst in the dying stages getting Ireland over the line both metaphorically and physically.
New Zealand's away record comes to an end
Breaking another professional era record, New Zealand had also won 10 consecutive away tests - two short of the overall record achieved by Brazil between 2006 and 2008, and one off second-placed Argentina (who, incredibly, didn't lose an away game between 1936 and 1964).
Thought both teams were strictly 'away' in Chicago, Ireland were listed as the home team, and a new Zealand victory would have counted as an away victory, drawing them level with Argentina's 28-year, 11-game streak.
Ireland became the first Northern Hemisphere team in the professional era to drop five tries on the All Blacks
In the past 25 years, New Zealand have conceded five tries on just two occasions, which is a mystifying feat in itself. South Africa scored five against the All Blacks in both 2000 and 2004's Tri Nations, with France touching down four during their famous 43-31 victory at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
Robbie Henshaw's late clincher saw Ireland become the first side from the north to cross the whitewash on five occasions versus the Kiwis during the professional era. Indeed, had he not scored, they still would have been just the second team, after France in '99, to register four tries against the world rugby greats in the same period.
Ireland denied New Zealand a repeat of 2013's historic calendar year
Averaging six tries and almost 43 points per game in a year which had seen New Zealand play only upper echelon sides in Australia, South Africa, Argentina and Wales, they entered their November tour primed to repeat their astonishing world rugby record of 2013 (we can mention the war, now, right?) - going undefeated for an entire calendar year.
With just four fixtures remaining - two against Ireland, one against Italy and one against France - the All Blacks were odds on to do so, but fell at the first hurdle during their northern hemisphere tour. The class of 2013 remain the only international side to ever go unbeaten for 12 months.
New Zealand were the only Tier 1 nation to have never lost to Ireland
111 years, 28 games and only a draw to show for Ireland (which, incidentally, would have been a defeat using the modern scoring system). Victories over Australia and South Africa have been few and far between for Ireland if far more common since the Millennium, but our Kiwi friends had always found a way to fend us off.
Ireland have now, at long last, beaten every top-ranking country in rugby, leaving Scotland the unenviable task of burying their own hatchet with the All Blacks in the future. We're behind you, lads. Keep the faith.
And finally, a 'She'll be right' for our friends from New Zealand...
With four tries against Ireland in Chicago, the current All Blacks crop have now gone 11 straight tests scoring four or more tries - extending their own Tier 1 record, and matching Cyprus' overall international record. They can break it with four or more tries in Rome versus Italy.
The All Blacks have also won a record 45 consecutive tests at home. The last side to visit New Zealand and emerge victorious was South Africa in 2009, during a run which saw Graham Henry's men win just four from eight tests. The Boks won 32-29, I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas was at number one, and there was still just one Hangover film. We'll see you down your way next year when 12 Welshmen, two Englishmen and one Scot attempt to right the wrongs of 2005.
