Ireland and All Blacks Prepared for Windy City Showdown

Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks

Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago Fixture: Saturday, 1 November Start time: 20:10 GMT

As they return to the location of one of their iconic victories, Ireland stand with a point to prove.

Back in 2016, they were largely written off before meeting the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were global title holders and in the thick of an 18-game winning streak, while they had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.

Considering that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week admitted the All Blacks got "swept away" in the excitement created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

On the other side, the team concentrated fully and set about lifting their own 111-year drought.

The culmination was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that changed the path of Irish rugby and ignited an passionate and engaging contest between the sides.

Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as transformative as it was in 2016, it would be the perfect way for Ireland to challenge those who view them as a waning team.

Andy Farrell, defence coach under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has secured a great deal as Ireland manager, not least the 2022 series victory on New Zealand soil that added more fire to a developing rivalry.

But, having come back to his day job after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by assertions that he leads an ageing and not fully ready Irish squad entering an fall series that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Nevertheless, there is no questioning that Ireland are at an crucial stage two years out from the World Cup in Australia.

In Farrell's absence, they relinquished the Six Nations title after a thumping and sobering home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a largest-ever Irish representation on the Lions tour, the aftermath from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game to their name this season.

Ireland's preparations have not been aided by injuries to key players, too, with established performers Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those missing.

Given Ireland's first-choice team having not played together since the Six Nations win over Italy in March, Farrell has been working with his squad in Chicago since 21 October.

And, having scrutinised his players over the past 10 days, he has opted to fill his team with in-form athletes.

Jack Crowley, who gave up the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is restored on the back of a impressive beginning to the season with Munster, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy O'Brien are earned positions at inside centre and right wing.

In the forwards, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another opportunity to prove he can be a consistent flanker option.

Farrell has also indicated his more seasoned athletes of the emerging talent by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Earlier this week, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his radar since impressing for the under-20s in a training session against the senior side a couple of years ago and, while he is only five weeks since his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly thinks he is ready to sample the elite competition.

As Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has entrusted Dan Sheehan with the captaincy.

The 27-year-old hooker captained Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and skippered the Lions against Western Force in June, securing victories in both matches.

Sheehan said the current group matching the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of successes.

"That 2016 moment, we've mentioned it a bit, that was a bit of a life moment for every Irish sports fan," he said.

"Huge recollections, everyone has a recollection of where they were and how unique that day was.

"Obviously we've had some major contests against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty excited to almost experience that day in 2016 and for the rematch."

New Zealand are seeking a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a merited 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are certainly more battle-hardened than Ireland, with a Test series against France and the Rugby Championship meaning them playing nine times since the start of July.

New Zealand have come runner-up to South Africa in the Rugby Championship over the past two years and, while head coach Scott Robertson has his doubters, they remain a lethal counter-attacking team filled with game-breaking talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's comeback at fly-half is a significant advantage for Robertson, while Ardie Savea has been outstanding against Ireland in the past.

And in Will Jordan the All Blacks boast one of the game's most effective finishers. The 27-year-old usually excels against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries registered versus Farrell's side.

Ireland have a statement to make. New Zealand have a historic loss to rectify.

With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no bad time to drum up interest in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the perfect components.

Ireland will certainly not be lacking in support, with green jerseys dotted all over the city center on Friday night.

Their appearance at Soldier Field will recall memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to push Ireland over the line then. Whether it does the trick in Chicago for the repeat performance remains to be seen.

Ireland: J Osborne; T O'Brien, G Ringrose, S McCloskey, J Lowe; J Crowley, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, D Sheehan (capt), T Furlong, J Ryan, T Beirne, R Baird, J van der Flier, J Conan.

Replacements: R Kelleher, P McCarthy, F Bealham, I Henderson, C Doris, C Casey, S Prendergast, B Aki.

New Zealand: W Jordan; L Carter, Q Tupaea, J Barrett, C Clarke; B Barrett, C Roigard; E De Groot, C Taylor, F Newell, S Barrett (capt), F Holland, S Parker, A Savea, P Lakai.

Replacements: S Taukei'aho, T Williams, P Tosi, J Lord, W Sititi, C Ratima, L Fainga'anuku, D McKenzie.