Ireland and All Blacks Primed for Windy City Showdown

Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand

Location: Soldier Field, Chicago Date: Saturday, 1 November Kick-off: 20:10 GMT

Coming back to the scene of one of their historic wins, Ireland find themselves with a point to prove.

Nine years ago, they were generally underestimated before confronting 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 middle of an 18-match unbeaten run, 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 acknowledged the All Blacks got "swept away" in the frenzy created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

Meanwhile, the team knuckled down and set about overcoming their own generational curse.

The culmination was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that transformed the direction of Irish rugby and sparked an passionate and engaging rivalry between the sides.

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

Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has accomplished a great deal as Ireland boss, not least the 2022 series success on New Zealand soil that intensified to a developing rivalry.

But, having returned to his primary role after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by assertions that he manages an older and undercooked Irish squad entering an fall series that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Nevertheless, there is no denying that Ireland are at an pivotal moment two years out from the World Cup in Australia.

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

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

Ireland's training have not been assisted by fitness concerns to important squad members, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.

With 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 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 returned on the back of a strong start to the season with Munster, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy O'Brien are merited selections at inside centre and right wing.

In the forwards, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance to prove he can be a established loose forward.

Farrell has also indicated his more seasoned athletes 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 since his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly thinks he is ready to taste the top tier.

With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has given 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, winning both games.

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

"The 2016 achievement, we've talked about it a bit, that was a bit of a life moment for every Irish sports fan," he said.

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

"Clearly we've had some big battles 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 rematch."

New Zealand are aiming for a third successive wins over Ireland - after edging an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a deserved 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 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 detractors, they remain a devastating counter-attacking team packed with match-winning talent.

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

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

Ireland have a reputation to defend. New Zealand have a famous defeat to overcome.

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 US meeting between two of the sport's top teams has all the perfect components.

Ireland will certainly not be lacking in support, with emerald shirts visible all over central Chicago on Friday night.

Their appearance 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 return engagement 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.