Ireland and All Blacks Primed for Windy City Rematch

Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand

Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago Fixture: Saturday, 1 November Kick-off: 20:10 GMT

Coming back to the venue of one of their most famous wins, Ireland find themselves with a mission to accomplish.

Nine years ago, they were largely written off before facing the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.

This wasn't unexpected. New Zealand were world champions and in the midst of an 18-match unbeaten run, while they maintained 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.

Reflecting on that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week acknowledged the All Blacks got "swept away" in the hubbub created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

Meanwhile, the team focused intensely and set about lifting their own generational curse.

The end result 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 passionate and engaging rivalry between the sides.

Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as seismic as it was in 2016, it would be the ideal manner for Ireland to scoff at those who view them as a fading force.

Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has secured 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 time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by claims that he leads an veteran and not fully ready Irish squad heading into an fall series that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

However, there is no questioning that Ireland are at an interesting juncture two years out from the World Cup in Australia.

In Farrell's time away, they relinquished the Six Nations title after a comprehensive and reality-check home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a historic number of Irish players on the Lions tour, the fallout from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game under their belt this season.

Ireland's preparations have not been aided by fitness concerns to crucial team members, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those missing.

With Ireland's frontline side having not played together since the Six Nations win over Italy in March, Farrell has been preparing with his squad in Chicago since 21 October.

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

Jack Crowley, who lost 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 deserved starters at inside centre and right wing.

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

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

Earlier this week, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his radar since performing well 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 top tier.

As Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has given Dan Sheehan with the leadership role.

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

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

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

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

"Clearly we've had some major contests against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty enthusiastic to almost share in that day in 2016 and for the second meeting."

New Zealand are aiming for a third successive wins over Ireland - after edging an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a earned 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are certainly more seasoned than Ireland, with a Test series against France and the Rugby Championship leading to 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 critics, they remain a lethal counter-attacking team filled with game-breaking 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 outstanding against Ireland in the past.

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

Ireland have a point to prove. New Zealand have a famous defeat to rectify.

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no wrong occasion to drum up interest in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's heavyweights has all the right ingredients.

Ireland will undoubtedly not be lacking in support, with green jerseys dotted all over central Chicago on Friday night.

Their presence at Soldier Field will bring back memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to push Ireland over the line then. Whether it proves decisive in Chicago for the repeat performance is yet to be determined.

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.