The Irish team and New Zealand Primed for Chicago Showdown

Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks

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

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

Back in 2016, they were mostly dismissed before confronting the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.

This wasn't unexpected. New Zealand were world champions and in the thick of an 18-game winning streak, while they boasted 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.

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

For Ireland, the team focused intensely and set about lifting their own 111-year drought.

The end result was a breakthrough triumph over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that changed 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 optimal approach for Ireland to disprove those who view them as a declining power.

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

But, having come back to his primary role after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by assertions that he leads an ageing and underprepared Irish squad heading into an fall series that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Nevertheless, there is no questioning that Ireland are at an interesting juncture two years out from the World Cup in Australia.

In Farrell's absence, they surrendered the Six Nations title after a decisive 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 to their name this season.

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

Given Ireland's starting lineup 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 evaluated 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 excellent opening 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 chance to prove he can be a established loose forward.

Farrell has also indicated his more seasoned athletes of the youth coming through by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Earlier this week, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his watch list 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 thinks he is ready to experience the elite competition.

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

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

Sheehan said the existing team matching the 2016 win would be "highly significant" in this squad's list of successes.

"That 2016 moment, we've discussed 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 unique that day was.

"Obviously we've had some major contests 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 second meeting."

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

The All Blacks are undoubtedly more experienced 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 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 devastating counter-attacking team packed with decisive talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's reappearance 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 most effective finishers. The 27-year-old usually performs against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries coming against Farrell's side.

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

With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no bad time to generate excitement in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's heavyweights has all the perfect components.

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

Their attendance 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 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.