The Irish team and All Blacks Primed for Chicago Rematch

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

Coming back to the scene of one of their most famous victories, Ireland find themselves with a point to prove.

Nine years ago, they were mostly dismissed before facing the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners and in the middle of an 18-game winning streak, while they had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 earlier matchups with the Irish.

Reflecting on that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week conceded the All Blacks got "caught up" in the frenzy 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 end result was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that changed the direction of Irish rugby and fueled an fierce and compelling competition between the sides.

While beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as earth-shattering as it was in 2016, it would be the ideal manner for Ireland to disprove those who view them as a fading force.

Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has accomplished 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 returned to his primary role after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by assertions 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.

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

In Farrell's time away, they surrendered the Six Nations title after a decisive and humbling home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a record Irish contingent 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 readiness have not been helped by fitness concerns to crucial team members, too, with established performers Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

With Ireland's frontline side 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 evaluated his players over the past 10 days, he has chosen to fill his team with form players.

Jack Crowley, who surrendered 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 merited selections 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 experienced players of the developing players by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his watch list 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 removed from his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly feels he is ready to sample the highest level.

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

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

Sheehan said the present squad replicating the 2016 win would be "highly significant" in this squad's list of successes.

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

"Huge recollections, 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 enthusiastic to almost experience that day in 2016 and for the return fixture."

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

The All Blacks are definitely more experienced 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 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 lethal counter-attacking team boasting decisive talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's comeback 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 performs 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 avenge.

With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to generate excitement in rugby, and this American reunion between two of the sport's heavyweights has all the necessary elements.

Ireland will definitely not be short of support, with green jerseys visible all over central Chicago 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 second time 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.