Ireland and All Blacks Ready for Chicago Showdown

Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand

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

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

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

This wasn't unexpected. New Zealand were global title holders and in the midst of an 18 consecutive victories, while they had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 prior encounters with the Irish.

Considering that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week admitted the All Blacks got "distracted" in the frenzy created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

On the other side, the team concentrated fully and set about lifting their own generational curse.

The end result was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that transformed the path of Irish rugby and fueled an fierce and compelling contest 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 perfect way for Ireland to disprove those who view them as a declining power.

Andy Farrell, defence coach under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has accomplished a great deal as Ireland head coach, not least the 2022 series success on New Zealand soil that heightened to a growing rivalry.

But, having come back to his primary role after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by suggestions that he presides over an ageing and not fully ready Irish squad heading into an November tests that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

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

In Farrell's absence, they relinquished the Six Nations title after a decisive and sobering home defeat by France.

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

Ireland's preparations have not been helped by injuries to important squad members, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those missing.

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 opted to fill his team with in-form athletes.

Jack Crowley, who lost 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 earned positions 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 signaled his more seasoned athletes 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 watch list 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 believes 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 leadership role.

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

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

"The 2016 achievement, we've mentioned it a bit, that was a bit of a defining experience for every Irish sports fan," he said.

"Massive memories, everyone has a remembrance of where they were and how remarkable 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 share in that day in 2016 and for the return fixture."

New Zealand are aiming for a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a deserved 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 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 packed with game-breaking talent.

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

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

Ireland have a statement to make. New Zealand have a famous defeat to rectify.

With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no wrong occasion to drum up interest in rugby, and this American reunion between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the necessary elements.

Ireland will definitely not be short of support, with green jerseys visible all over the city center on Friday night.

Their presence at Soldier Field will evoke memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to drive Ireland over the line then. Whether it proves decisive 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.