Ireland and All Blacks Primed for Windy City Rematch

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

Coming back to the location of one of their historic victories, Ireland stand with a mission to accomplish.

Back in 2016, they were mostly dismissed before meeting the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

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

Reflecting on that week nine years on, 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.

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

The end result was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that transformed the trajectory of Irish rugby and sparked an fierce and compelling rivalry between the sides.

Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as earth-shattering as it was in 2016, it would be the perfect way for Ireland to challenge those who view them as a fading force.

Andy Farrell, defence coach under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has achieved a great deal as Ireland head coach, not least the 2022 series victory on New Zealand soil that added more fire to a burgeoning rivalry.

But, having returned to his primary role after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by suggestions that he presides over an older and underprepared Irish squad entering an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

However, 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 reality-check 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 preparations have not been aided by physical setbacks to important squad members, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

With Ireland's starting lineup 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 players performing well.

Jack Crowley, who surrendered the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is restored on the back of a impressive beginning 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 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.

Earlier this week, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his watch list 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 since his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly thinks he is ready to taste the elite competition.

With Caelan Doris on the bench after returning from shoulder surgery, Farrell has given Dan Sheehan with the leadership role.

The 27-year-old hooker captained Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and led the Lions against Western Force in June, winning both games.

Sheehan said the current group replicating the 2016 win would be "among the top" 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.

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

"Obviously we've had some significant clashes 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 return fixture."

New Zealand are aiming for a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an unforgettable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before claiming a earned 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 meaning them playing nine times since the start of July.

New Zealand have finished second to South Africa in the Rugby Championship over the past two years and, while head coach Scott Robertson has his critics, 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 significant advantage for Robertson, while Ardie Savea has been outstanding against Ireland in the past.

And in Will Jordan the All Blacks have one of the game's most lethal finishers. The 27-year-old usually delivers against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries coming against Farrell's side.

Ireland have a statement to make. New Zealand have a historic loss to avenge.

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

Ireland will undoubtedly not be lacking in support, with green jerseys visible all over downtown Chicago 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 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.