Ireland and All Blacks Prepared for Windy City Reunion

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

As they return to the venue of one of their historic triumphs, Ireland stand with a statement to make.

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

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners and in the middle of an 18-match unbeaten run, while they had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 prior encounters with the Irish.

Considering that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week acknowledged the All Blacks got "caught up" in the excitement created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

On the other side, the team knuckled down and set about breaking their own century-long hoodoo.

The end result was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that transformed the path of Irish rugby and sparked an fierce and compelling contest between the sides.

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

Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has secured a great deal as Ireland manager, not least the 2022 series victory on New Zealand soil that heightened to a developing rivalry.

But, having returned to his primary role after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by assertions that he manages an veteran and undercooked Irish squad heading into an November tests 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 surrendered 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 fallout from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game to their name this season.

Ireland's readiness have not been aided by injuries to key players, too, with regular starters 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 preparing with his squad in Chicago since 21 October.

And, having assessed his players over the past 10 days, he has decided 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 merited selections 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 indicated his more veteran squad members of the developing players by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his radar since excelling 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 believes he is ready to sample the highest level.

As Caelan Doris on the bench after returning from shoulder surgery, Farrell has entrusted Dan Sheehan with the leadership role.

The 27-year-old hooker captained Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and led 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 accomplishments.

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

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

"Clearly we've had some significant clashes against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty buzzing to almost experience that day in 2016 and for the return fixture."

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

The All Blacks are undoubtedly more battle-hardened than Ireland, with a Test series against France and the Rugby Championship meaning 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 detractors, they remain a lethal counter-attacking team boasting match-winning talent.

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

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

Ireland have a statement to make. New Zealand have a memorable setback to overcome.

With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no bad time to drum up interest in rugby, and this US meeting between two of the sport's heavyweights has all the necessary elements.

Ireland will certainly not be lacking in support, with Irish colors visible all over central 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 makes the difference in Chicago for the return engagement 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.