Ireland and New Zealand Prepared for Windy City Showdown

Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand

Location: Soldier Field, Chicago Date: Saturday, 1 November Start time: 20:10 GMT

Coming back to the venue of one of their historic triumphs, Ireland stand with a statement to make.

Back in 2016, they were largely written off before meeting the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were world champions and in the middle of an 18 consecutive victories, while they maintained 27 victories and a draw from 28 earlier matchups with the Irish.

Looking back at that week nine years on, 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.

Meanwhile, the team concentrated fully and set about breaking their own 111-year drought.

The final outcome was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that revolutionized the trajectory of Irish rugby and sparked an fierce and compelling contest between the sides.

While beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as transformative as it was in 2016, it would be the ideal manner for Ireland to disprove those who view them as a declining power.

Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has achieved a great deal as Ireland head coach, not least the 2022 series victory on New Zealand soil that added more fire to a burgeoning rivalry.

But, having come back to his primary role after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by claims that he manages an older and underprepared Irish squad heading into an autumn campaign 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 time away, they surrendered the Six Nations title after a comprehensive and humbling home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a record Irish contingent on the Lions tour, the fallout from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game to their name this season.

Ireland's training have not been helped by injuries to important squad members, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.

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

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

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

In the forwards, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance to prove he can be a regular back-row starter.

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

Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his consideration 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 removed from his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly feels he is ready to experience the top tier.

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

The 27-year-old hooker led Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and led the Lions against Western Force in June, coming out on top in both contests.

Sheehan said the current group repeating the 2016 win would be "among the top" in this squad's list of accomplishments.

"The 2016 achievement, we've discussed it a bit, that was a bit of a memorable occasion for every Irish sports fan," he said.

"Significant moments, everyone has a memory of where they were and how special that day was.

"Clearly we've had some significant clashes against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty buzzing to almost feel a part of that day in 2016 and for the second meeting."

New Zealand are aiming for a third consecutive wins over Ireland - after edging an unforgettable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a merited 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are undoubtedly more seasoned than Ireland, with a Test series against France and the Rugby Championship resulting in them playing nine times since the start of July.

New Zealand have placed second to South Africa in the Rugby Championship over the past two years and, while head coach Scott Robertson has his doubters, they remain a powerful counter-attacking team filled with match-winning talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's return at fly-half is a considerable boost for Robertson, while Ardie Savea has been brilliant 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 delivers against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries registered versus Farrell's side.

Ireland have a point to prove. New Zealand have a memorable setback to rectify.

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no bad time to drum up interest in rugby, and this American reunion between two of the sport's top teams has all the right ingredients.

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

Their appearance at Soldier Field will bring back memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to propel Ireland over the line then. Whether it makes the difference in Chicago for the return engagement will be discovered.

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.