Ireland and All Blacks Prepared for Chicago Reunion

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

As they return to the scene of one of their historic wins, 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 midst 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 almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week conceded the All Blacks got "swept away" in the excitement created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

For Ireland, the team knuckled down and set about breaking their own generational curse.

The culmination was a breakthrough triumph over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that changed the trajectory of Irish rugby and sparked an passionate and engaging 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 challenge those who view them as a fading force.

Andy Farrell, defence coach 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 intensified to a burgeoning rivalry.

But, having returned to his day job after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by claims that he leads an older and undercooked Irish squad approaching an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

However, 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 surrendered the Six Nations title after a comprehensive and sobering 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 played this season.

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

Given Ireland's frontline side 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 scrutinised his players over the past 10 days, he has decided to fill his team with form players.

Jack Crowley, who surrendered 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 pack, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another opportunity to prove he can be a regular back-row starter.

Farrell has also signaled his more veteran squad members 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 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 feels he is ready to taste the highest level.

As 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 matching the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of achievements.

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

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

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

New Zealand are targeting a third consecutive wins over Ireland - after just beating an unforgettable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before claiming a merited 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are definitely more battle-hardened 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 finished second to South Africa in the Rugby Championship over the past two years and, while head coach Scott Robertson has his critics, they remain a powerful 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 have one of the game's most lethal 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 point to prove. New Zealand have a historic loss to rectify.

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no wrong occasion to build anticipation in rugby, and this US meeting between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the right ingredients.

Ireland will certainly not be short of support, with emerald shirts visible all over downtown Chicago on Friday night.

Their presence at Soldier Field will recall memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to propel 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.