Ireland and All Blacks Primed for Windy City Showdown

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

Coming back to the venue of one of their iconic victories, Ireland find themselves with a mission to accomplish.

Back in 2016, they were largely written off before facing the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

This wasn't unexpected. New Zealand were global title holders and in the middle of an 18-game winning streak, while they boasted 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.

Considering that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week admitted 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 concentrated fully and set about overcoming their own century-long hoodoo.

The culmination was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that revolutionized the trajectory of Irish rugby and sparked an intense and captivating contest 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 disprove those who view them as a waning team.

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

But, having come back to his day job after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by suggestions that he presides over an veteran and underprepared Irish squad approaching an November tests that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

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

In Farrell's time away, they relinquished the Six Nations title after a decisive and reality-check 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 preparations have not been helped by injuries to key players, too, with established performers Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

With Ireland's first-choice team 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 scrutinised 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 returned on the back of a excellent opening 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 chance to prove he can be a established loose forward.

Farrell has also indicated his more veteran squad members 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 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 feels he is ready to taste the elite competition.

As Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has given Dan Sheehan with the captaincy.

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 matching the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of achievements.

"The 2016 achievement, 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 feel a part of that day in 2016 and for the second meeting."

New Zealand are aiming for a third successive wins over Ireland - after edging an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a earned 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are definitely 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 decisive 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 brilliant 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 delivers against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries scored against 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 poor moment to generate excitement in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's heavyweights has all the right ingredients.

Ireland will certainly not be lacking in support, with Irish colors present all over central Chicago on Friday night.

Their appearance at Soldier Field will evoke 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.