Ireland and All Blacks Prepared for Chicago Reunion

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

As they return to the location of one of their iconic victories, Ireland stand with a point to prove.

Back in 2016, they were largely written off before facing the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners and in the midst of an 18-game winning streak, while they maintained 27 victories and a draw from 28 earlier matchups 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 overcoming their own 111-year drought.

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 sparked an intense and captivating competition between the sides.

While 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 fading force.

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

But, having come back to his primary role after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by suggestions that he leads an older and underprepared Irish squad approaching an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

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

In Farrell's absence, they lost the Six Nations title after a comprehensive and reality-check home defeat by France.

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

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

Given Ireland's first-choice team having not played together since the Six Nations win over Italy in March, Farrell has been working with his squad in Chicago since 21 October.

And, having scrutinised his players over the past 10 days, he has chosen to fill his team with in-form athletes.

Jack Crowley, who surrendered the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is returned 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 pack, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance to prove he can be a regular back-row starter.

Farrell has also indicated his more veteran squad members of the developing players by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Earlier this week, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his radar 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 experience the elite competition.

With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has given Dan Sheehan with the leadership role.

The 27-year-old hooker led Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and skippered the Lions against Western Force in June, coming out on top in both contests.

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

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

"Huge recollections, everyone has a recollection of where they were and how special that day was.

"Obviously we've had some major contests against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty excited to almost feel a part of that day in 2016 and for the rematch."

New Zealand are aiming for a third consecutive wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving 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 boasting game-breaking talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's comeback 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 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 bad time to generate excitement in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the right ingredients.

Ireland will certainly not be short of support, with Irish colors dotted 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 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.