Ireland and All Blacks Ready for Windy City Rematch

Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks

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

Coming back to the scene of one of their iconic triumphs, Ireland stand with a mission to accomplish.

Nine years ago, they were generally underestimated before facing the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.

The skepticism was understandable. New Zealand were global title holders and in the middle of an 18-game winning streak, while they boasted 27 victories and a draw from 28 earlier matchups with the Irish.

Looking back at that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week admitted the All Blacks got "swept away" in the hubbub created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

Meanwhile, 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 ignited an passionate and engaging contest between the sides.

While beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as seismic as it was in 2016, it would be the perfect way for Ireland to scoff at 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 triumph on New Zealand soil that added more fire to a developing rivalry.

But, having returned to his day job after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by suggestions that he presides over 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 questioning that Ireland are at an interesting juncture two years out from the World Cup in Australia.

In Farrell's absence, they relinquished the Six Nations title after a comprehensive and humbling home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a record Irish contingent on the Lions tour, the consequences from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game to their name this season.

Ireland's preparations have not been helped by fitness concerns to important squad members, too, with established performers Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.

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 assessed 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 restored on the back of a strong start to the season with Munster, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy O'Brien are deserved starters at inside centre and right wing.

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

Farrell has also reminded 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 since his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly thinks he is ready to sample the top tier.

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

The 27-year-old hooker captained Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and captained the Lions against Western Force in June, securing victories in both matches.

Sheehan said the current group replicating the 2016 win would be "highly significant" in this squad's list of accomplishments.

"That 2016 moment, 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 remembrance of where they were and how special that day was.

"Clearly we've had some major contests against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty buzzing to almost share in that day in 2016 and for the rematch."

New Zealand are aiming for a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an unforgettable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a merited 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are undoubtedly more seasoned 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 finished 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 filled with match-winning 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 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 excels 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 overcome.

With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to generate excitement in rugby, and this American reunion between two of the sport's heavyweights has all the necessary elements.

Ireland will definitely not be short of support, with emerald shirts 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 drive Ireland over the line then. Whether it does the trick in Chicago for the second time 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.