Ireland and All Blacks Ready for Windy City Rematch

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

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

Nine years ago, they were mostly dismissed before meeting the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.

It was hardly surprising. 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 prior encounters with the Irish.

Considering that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week admitted the All Blacks got "caught up" 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 overcoming their own 111-year drought.

The final outcome was a breakthrough triumph over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that changed the trajectory of Irish rugby and sparked an intense and captivating rivalry between the sides.

While 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 waning team.

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

But, having come back to his day job after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by suggestions that he manages an ageing and underprepared Irish squad heading into an November tests that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Nevertheless, there is no questioning 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 comprehensive and reality-check home defeat by France.

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

Ireland's training have not been helped by injuries to key players, too, with established performers Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

With Ireland's first-choice team 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 evaluated his players over the past 10 days, he has opted to fill his team with players performing well.

Jack Crowley, who surrendered the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is reinstated on the back of a excellent opening 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 regular back-row starter.

Farrell has also reminded 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 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 believes he is ready to sample the highest level.

With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has given Dan Sheehan with the skipper position.

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

Sheehan said the existing team repeating the 2016 win would be "among the top" in this squad's list of successes.

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

"Massive memories, everyone has a recollection of where they were and how unique that day was.

"Obviously we've had some big battles 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 hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a earned 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 leading to 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 lethal counter-attacking team packed with decisive talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's return 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 have one of the game's deadliest finishers. The 27-year-old usually excels against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries scored against Farrell's side.

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

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no wrong occasion to build anticipation in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's top teams has all the perfect components.

Ireland will definitely not be short of support, with emerald shirts present all over central Chicago on Friday night.

Their presence at Soldier Field will evoke 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 second time remains to be seen.

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.