The Irish team and All Blacks Primed for Windy City Showdown

Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks

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

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

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

This wasn't unexpected. New Zealand were global title holders and in the thick of an 18-match unbeaten run, 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 admitted 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 111-year drought.

The culmination was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that revolutionized the path of Irish rugby and ignited an fierce and compelling competition between the sides.

While beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as transformative as it was in 2016, it would be the optimal approach for Ireland to scoff at those who view them as a fading force.

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

But, having returned to his day job after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by suggestions that he manages an older and underprepared Irish squad entering an November tests that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

However, there is no questioning that Ireland are at an interesting juncture two years out from the World Cup in Australia.

In Farrell's time away, they surrendered the Six Nations title after a decisive and humbling home defeat by France.

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

Ireland's training have not been assisted by physical setbacks to crucial team members, too, with established performers Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.

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

Jack Crowley, who gave up the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is reinstated 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 established loose forward.

Farrell has also indicated his more experienced players of the youth coming through by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Recently, 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 sample the highest level.

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

The 27-year-old hooker captained 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 existing team repeating the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of accomplishments.

"That historic win, we've mentioned it a bit, that was a bit of a life moment for every Irish sports fan," he said.

"Significant moments, everyone has a memory of where they were and how unique 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 second meeting."

New Zealand are targeting a third successive 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 certainly more battle-hardened 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 placed second to South Africa in the Rugby Championship over the past two years and, while head coach Scott Robertson has his doubters, they remain a lethal counter-attacking team boasting match-winning talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's reappearance at fly-half is a significant advantage for Robertson, while Ardie Savea has been exceptional 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 historic loss to avenge.

With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to build anticipation 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 Irish colors visible all over the city center on Friday night.

Their attendance at Soldier Field will bring back 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.