Ireland and New Zealand Prepared for Chicago Showdown

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago Date: Saturday, 1 November Kick-off: 20:10 GMT

Coming back to the venue of one of their most famous victories, Ireland find themselves with a point to prove.

Back in 2016, they were largely written off before meeting the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were world champions and in the middle of an 18-match unbeaten run, while they maintained 27 victories and a draw from 28 earlier matchups with the Irish.

Considering that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week acknowledged the All Blacks got "distracted" in the excitement created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

Meanwhile, the team concentrated fully and set about breaking their own century-long hoodoo.

The end result was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that changed the trajectory 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 ideal manner 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 boss, not least the 2022 series success on New Zealand soil that heightened to a growing rivalry.

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

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

In Farrell's absence, they lost 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 preparations have not been assisted by fitness concerns to key players, too, with established performers 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 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 form players.

Jack Crowley, who gave up the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is reinstated on the back of a impressive beginning to the season with Munster, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy O'Brien are earned positions 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 indicated his more veteran squad members 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 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 removed from his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly thinks he is ready to sample the highest level.

With Caelan Doris on the bench after returning from shoulder surgery, Farrell has entrusted Dan Sheehan with the captaincy.

The 27-year-old hooker captained Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and captained 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 "among the top" in this squad's list of successes.

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

"Massive memories, everyone has a remembrance of where they were and how unique that day was.

"Obviously we've had some big battles 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 rematch."

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

The All Blacks are definitely more battle-hardened 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 detractors, they remain a lethal counter-attacking team packed with decisive talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's reappearance 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 possess one of the game's most lethal 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 point to prove. New Zealand have a famous defeat to overcome.

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

Ireland will certainly not be lacking in support, with green jerseys present all over the city center on Friday night.

Their presence 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 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.