Ireland and All Blacks Prepared for Chicago Reunion

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

As they return to the location of one of their most famous victories, Ireland find themselves with a statement to make.

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

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were global title holders and in the middle of an 18-game winning streak, while they had achieved 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 "swept away" in the excitement created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

For Ireland, the team concentrated fully and set about lifting their own 111-year drought.

The final outcome was a breakthrough triumph over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that changed the trajectory of Irish rugby and fueled an fierce and compelling 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 ideal manner for Ireland to scoff at those who view them as a fading force.

Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has secured a great deal as Ireland manager, not least the 2022 series success on New Zealand soil that intensified to a burgeoning rivalry.

But, having come back to his day job after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by suggestions that he manages an ageing and not fully ready 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 relinquished the Six Nations title after a decisive and humbling home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a historic number of Irish players 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 helped by fitness concerns to crucial team members, too, with first-choice players 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 working 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 players performing well.

Jack Crowley, who gave up 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 pack, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another opportunity to prove he can be a regular back-row starter.

Farrell has also indicated his more experienced players of the emerging talent by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Earlier this week, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his consideration 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 believes he is ready to experience the highest level.

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

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 existing team replicating the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of accomplishments.

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

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

"Clearly we've had some major contests 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 aiming for a third successive wins over Ireland - after edging an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a deserved 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 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 doubters, they remain a devastating counter-attacking team packed with match-winning 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 deadliest 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 statement to make. New Zealand have a famous defeat to overcome.

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

Ireland will certainly not be short of support, with emerald shirts present all over central Chicago on Friday night.

Their attendance at Soldier Field will bring back 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 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.