Ireland and All Blacks Prepared for Windy City Rematch

Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand

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

As they return to the scene of one of their most famous triumphs, Ireland stand with a statement to make.

Nine years ago, they were mostly dismissed before facing the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

The skepticism was understandable. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners and in the middle of an 18-game winning streak, 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 "swept away" in the frenzy created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

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

The culmination was a breakthrough triumph over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that changed the direction of Irish rugby and ignited an intense and captivating competition between the sides.

Although 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 scoff at those who view them as a declining power.

Andy Farrell, defence coach under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has achieved a great deal as Ireland boss, not least the 2022 series victory on New Zealand soil that intensified to a growing rivalry.

But, having come back to his primary role after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by suggestions that he leads an older and undercooked Irish squad approaching an fall series that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

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

In Farrell's absence, they lost 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 to their name this season.

Ireland's preparations have not been aided by physical setbacks to important squad members, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.

With 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 scrutinised his players over the past 10 days, he has decided to fill his team with form players.

Jack Crowley, who surrendered 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 chance to prove he can be a established loose forward.

Farrell has also signaled his more experienced players 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 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 removed from his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly feels he is ready to sample the elite competition.

With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering 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 led the Lions against Western Force in June, coming out on top in both contests.

Sheehan said the present squad repeating the 2016 win would be "highly significant" 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 recollection 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 experience that day in 2016 and for the return fixture."

New Zealand are seeking a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after edging an unforgettable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before claiming a deserved 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are definitely more seasoned 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 powerful 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 major plus 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 most effective finishers. The 27-year-old usually delivers against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries scored against Farrell's side.

Ireland have a point to prove. New Zealand have a memorable setback to overcome.

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

Ireland will definitely not be short of support, with emerald shirts dotted all over the city center on Friday night.

Their appearance at Soldier Field will bring back 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 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.