Ireland and All Blacks 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 scene of one of their historic wins, Ireland find themselves with a point to prove.

Back in 2016, they were mostly dismissed before confronting the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were global title holders and in the thick 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 acknowledged the All Blacks got "distracted" in the frenzy created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

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

The culmination was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that revolutionized the trajectory of Irish rugby and sparked an passionate and engaging contest between the sides.

While beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as transformative as it was in 2016, it would be the ideal manner for Ireland to scoff at those who view them as a waning team.

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

But, having returned to his day job after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by assertions that he manages an older and underprepared Irish squad entering an autumn campaign 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 surrendered the Six Nations title after a decisive and sobering 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 to their name this season.

Ireland's training have not been aided by physical setbacks to crucial team members, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

Given 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 evaluated his players over the past 10 days, he has opted to fill his team with form players.

Jack Crowley, who surrendered the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is returned on the back of a impressive beginning 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 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 consideration 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 since his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly believes he is ready to sample the highest level.

As Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering 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 current group replicating 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.

"Significant moments, everyone has a recollection of where they were and how remarkable that day was.

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

New Zealand are seeking a third consecutive wins over Ireland - after just beating an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a merited 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are undoubtedly more experienced 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 come runner-up 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 boasting decisive talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's return at fly-half is a major plus for Robertson, while Ardie Savea has been outstanding 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 delivers against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries registered versus Farrell's side.

Ireland have a reputation to defend. New Zealand have a famous defeat to rectify.

With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to build anticipation in rugby, and this US meeting between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the perfect components.

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

Their presence at Soldier Field will bring back memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to drive Ireland over the line then. Whether it proves decisive 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.