Ireland and All Blacks Prepared for Chicago Reunion

Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks

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

As they return to the scene of one of their historic triumphs, Ireland stand with a point to prove.

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

The skepticism was understandable. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners and in the midst of an 18-game winning streak, while they had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.

Reflecting on that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week conceded the All Blacks got "caught up" in the frenzy created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

On the other side, the team focused intensely and set about overcoming their own generational curse.

The final outcome was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that revolutionized the path of Irish rugby and fueled an passionate and engaging rivalry between the sides.

Although 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 challenge those who view them as a fading force.

Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has achieved a great deal as Ireland boss, not least the 2022 series victory on New Zealand soil that heightened to a burgeoning rivalry.

But, having come back to his day job after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by claims that he manages an ageing and not fully ready Irish squad entering an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Nevertheless, 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 surrendered the Six Nations title after a decisive and reality-check home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a largest-ever Irish representation on the Lions tour, the aftermath from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game to their name this season.

Ireland's preparations have not been aided by physical setbacks to important squad members, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

Given Ireland's frontline side 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 assessed his players over the past 10 days, he has decided to fill his team with form players.

Jack Crowley, who surrendered the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is reinstated on the back of a strong start 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 signaled his more experienced players of the developing players by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his radar since excelling 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 elite competition.

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

The 27-year-old hooker led 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 existing team matching the 2016 win would be "highly significant" in this squad's list of achievements.

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

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

"Clearly we've had some big battles 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 third successive wins over Ireland - after edging an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a deserved 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are certainly more experienced 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 detractors, they remain a powerful counter-attacking team packed with game-breaking 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 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 performs against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries registered versus Farrell's side.

Ireland have a point to prove. New Zealand have a famous defeat to rectify.

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no bad time to drum up interest in rugby, and this American reunion between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the perfect components.

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

Their attendance at Soldier Field will evoke memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to propel Ireland over the line then. Whether it makes the difference in Chicago for the repeat performance 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.