Ireland and New Zealand Prepared for Chicago Reunion

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

As they return to the scene of one of their historic triumphs, Ireland find themselves with a mission to accomplish.

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

This wasn't unexpected. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners and in the midst of an 18 consecutive victories, while they maintained 27 victories and a draw from 28 prior encounters with the Irish.

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

On the other side, the team focused intensely and set about overcoming their own generational curse.

The final outcome was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that transformed the path of Irish rugby and sparked an passionate and engaging contest between the sides.

Although 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 disprove those who view them as a waning team.

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

But, having come back to his day job after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by suggestions that he presides over an older and undercooked Irish squad entering an fall series that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

However, there is no denying 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 humbling 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 played this season.

Ireland's readiness have not been aided by physical setbacks to important squad members, too, with established performers Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.

With 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 players performing well.

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 merited selections at inside centre and right wing.

In the forwards, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another opportunity to prove he can be a established loose forward.

Farrell has also reminded his more seasoned athletes of the youth coming through 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 feels he is ready to taste the highest level.

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

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

"That historic win, we've mentioned it a bit, that was a bit of a defining experience for every Irish sports fan," he said.

"Huge recollections, everyone has a memory of where they were and how unique 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 feel a part of that day in 2016 and for the return fixture."

New Zealand are targeting a third consecutive wins over Ireland - after edging an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a deserved 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are certainly more seasoned 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 detractors, they remain a powerful counter-attacking team packed with decisive talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's reappearance at fly-half is a considerable boost 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 effective 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 reputation to defend. New Zealand have a famous defeat to rectify.

Given 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 top teams has all the right ingredients.

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

Their attendance at Soldier Field will evoke memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to push Ireland over the line then. Whether it does the trick in Chicago for the repeat performance 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.