Ireland and New Zealand Ready for Windy City Showdown

Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand

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

Coming back to the location of one of their historic triumphs, Ireland stand with a point to prove.

Back in 2016, they were largely written off before meeting the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash 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 earlier matchups with the Irish.

Looking back at 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.

On the other side, the team focused intensely and set about lifting their own century-long hoodoo.

The final outcome was a breakthrough triumph over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that revolutionized the path of Irish rugby and sparked an intense and captivating competition between the sides.

While beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as seismic as it was in 2016, it would be the ideal manner for Ireland to challenge those who view them as a fading force.

Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has secured a great deal as Ireland head coach, not least the 2022 series victory on New Zealand soil that intensified to a burgeoning rivalry.

But, having returned to his day job after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by claims that he presides over an older and not fully ready Irish squad heading into an November tests that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

However, there is no denying 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 sobering home defeat by France.

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

Ireland's preparations have not been helped by physical setbacks to crucial team members, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.

Given 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 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 restored 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 pack, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance to prove he can be a regular back-row starter.

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

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 led Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and skippered the Lions against Western Force in June, winning both games.

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

"That 2016 moment, we've talked about it a bit, that was a bit of a life moment for every Irish sports fan," he said.

"Massive memories, everyone has a recollection of where they were and how unique that day was.

"Clearly we've had some significant clashes against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty buzzing to almost share in that day in 2016 and for the second meeting."

New Zealand are aiming for a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving 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 resulting in 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 doubters, they remain a powerful 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 outstanding against Ireland in the past.

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

Ireland have a point to prove. New Zealand have a historic loss to overcome.

With 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 necessary elements.

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 push Ireland over the line then. Whether it makes the difference in Chicago for the repeat performance remains to be seen.

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.