Ireland and New Zealand Ready for Windy City Reunion

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

As they return to the venue of one of their most famous victories, Ireland stand with a point to prove.

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

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were world champions and in the midst of an 18-game winning streak, while they boasted 27 victories and a draw from 28 prior encounters with the Irish.

Looking back at that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week acknowledged the All Blacks got "caught up" in the excitement created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

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

The end result was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that transformed the path of Irish rugby and sparked an passionate and engaging contest 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 disprove those who view them as a waning team.

Andy Farrell, defence coach under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has accomplished a great deal as Ireland manager, not least the 2022 series triumph on New Zealand soil that intensified to a growing rivalry.

But, having come back to his day job after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by assertions that he leads an veteran and undercooked Irish squad entering an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Nevertheless, 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 comprehensive and reality-check home defeat by France.

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

Ireland's training have not been helped by injuries to important squad members, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those missing.

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

Jack Crowley, who gave up the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is returned 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 forwards, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another opportunity to prove he can be a established loose forward.

Farrell has also signaled his more experienced players of the developing players by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Earlier this week, 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 believes he is ready to taste the highest level.

With Caelan Doris on the bench after returning from shoulder surgery, Farrell has given 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 present squad replicating the 2016 win would be "among the top" in this squad's list of achievements.

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

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

"Obviously we've had some major contests against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty buzzing to almost experience that day in 2016 and for the return fixture."

New Zealand are seeking a third successive wins over Ireland - after edging an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a merited 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 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 detractors, they remain a powerful counter-attacking team boasting 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 outstanding against Ireland in the past.

And in Will Jordan the All Blacks boast 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 reputation to defend. New Zealand have a memorable setback 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 heavyweights has all the necessary elements.

Ireland will undoubtedly not be lacking in support, with Irish colors visible all over downtown Chicago on Friday night.

Their presence at Soldier Field will evoke memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to drive 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.