The Irish team and All Blacks Primed for Chicago Showdown

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

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

Nine years ago, they were largely written off before meeting the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

This wasn't unexpected. New Zealand were global title holders and in the middle of an 18 consecutive victories, while they maintained 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.

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

Meanwhile, the team focused intensely and set about lifting their own century-long hoodoo.

The final outcome was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that changed the trajectory of Irish rugby and ignited an fierce and compelling contest between the sides.

Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as transformative as it was in 2016, it would be the perfect way for Ireland to disprove 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 victory on New Zealand soil that added more fire to a burgeoning 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 presides over an ageing and not fully ready Irish squad heading into an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

However, there is no doubting that Ireland are at an crucial stage two years out from the World Cup in Australia.

In Farrell's time away, they surrendered the Six Nations title after a comprehensive and humbling 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 assisted by fitness concerns to important squad members, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

With Ireland's starting lineup 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 chosen to fill his team with in-form athletes.

Jack Crowley, who lost the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is restored on the back of a excellent opening to the season with Munster, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy O'Brien are earned positions at inside centre and right wing.

In the pack, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance to prove he can be a regular back-row starter.

Farrell has also reminded 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 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 removed from his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly feels he is ready to taste the top tier.

With Caelan Doris on the bench after returning 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, securing victories in both matches.

Sheehan said the current group repeating the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of accomplishments.

"That 2016 moment, we've discussed it a bit, that was a bit of a life moment for every Irish sports fan," he said.

"Significant moments, everyone has a memory of where they were and how special that day was.

"Clearly we've had some big battles against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty enthusiastic to almost share in that day in 2016 and for the second meeting."

New Zealand are aiming for a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after edging an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before claiming a deserved 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 come runner-up 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 filled with game-breaking talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's comeback 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 boast one of the game's most lethal finishers. The 27-year-old usually excels against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries coming against Farrell's side.

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

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to build anticipation in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the necessary elements.

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

Their appearance at Soldier Field will evoke memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to propel 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.