Ireland and All Blacks Ready for Windy City Showdown

Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks

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

Coming back to the location of one of their historic wins, Ireland stand with a statement to make.

Nine years ago, they were generally underestimated before facing the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

The skepticism was understandable. New Zealand were world champions 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.

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

For Ireland, the team focused intensely and set about breaking their own generational curse.

The final outcome was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that changed the trajectory 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 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 manager, not least the 2022 series triumph on New Zealand soil that heightened to a burgeoning rivalry.

But, having returned to his primary role after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by suggestions that he leads an veteran and undercooked Irish squad entering an November tests 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 humbling home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a historic number of Irish players on the Lions tour, the consequences from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game played this season.

Ireland's readiness have not been aided by fitness concerns to crucial team members, too, with established performers 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 preparing with his squad in Chicago since 21 October.

And, having assessed his players over the past 10 days, he has chosen to fill his team with form players.

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 earned positions at inside centre and right wing.

In the forwards, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance to prove he can be a consistent flanker option.

Farrell has also signaled his more veteran squad members of the youth coming through by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

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

With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has given 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, coming out on top in both contests.

Sheehan said the present squad repeating the 2016 win would be "among the top" in this squad's list of accomplishments.

"That historic win, we've talked about it a bit, that was a bit of a memorable occasion 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 major contests against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty excited to almost experience that day in 2016 and for the rematch."

New Zealand are aiming for a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after edging an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before claiming 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 leading to them playing nine times since the start of July.

New Zealand have placed 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 packed with decisive 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 possess one of the game's most lethal 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 reputation to defend. New Zealand have a famous defeat to avenge.

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to generate excitement in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's top teams has all the necessary elements.

Ireland will undoubtedly not be lacking in support, with green jerseys dotted 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 push Ireland over the line then. Whether it makes the difference 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.