Ireland and New Zealand Ready for Windy City Reunion

Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks

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

Coming back to the location of one of their historic wins, Ireland stand with a mission to accomplish.

Back in 2016, they were generally underestimated before meeting the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.

The skepticism was understandable. New Zealand were global title holders and in the thick of an 18-game winning streak, while they boasted 27 victories and a draw from 28 prior encounters with the Irish.

Considering that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week acknowledged the All Blacks got "distracted" in the hubbub 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 generational curse.

The culmination was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that changed the trajectory of Irish rugby and ignited an passionate and engaging 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 perfect way for Ireland to challenge those who view them as a waning team.

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

But, having returned to his primary role after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by suggestions that he manages an ageing 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 absence, they relinquished the Six Nations title after a comprehensive 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 played this season.

Ireland's training have not been helped by physical setbacks to key players, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

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 chosen to fill his team with in-form athletes.

Jack Crowley, who gave up the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is returned 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 pack, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another opportunity to prove he can be a regular back-row starter.

Farrell has also signaled his more experienced players of the youth coming through by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his consideration 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 since his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly believes he is ready to experience the highest level.

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

The 27-year-old hooker led 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 "highly significant" in this squad's list of accomplishments.

"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 memory of where they were and how special that day was.

"Obviously we've had some significant clashes 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 second meeting."

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

The All Blacks are certainly 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 critics, they remain a powerful counter-attacking team packed with match-winning 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 have one of the game's deadliest finishers. The 27-year-old usually delivers against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries coming against Farrell's side.

Ireland have a reputation to defend. New Zealand have a memorable setback to overcome.

With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to drum up interest in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's top teams has all the right ingredients.

Ireland will undoubtedly not be short of support, with green jerseys present all over central Chicago on Friday night.

Their presence at Soldier Field will bring back memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to drive Ireland over the line then. Whether it does the trick in Chicago for the repeat performance will be discovered.

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.