Ireland and New Zealand Primed for Windy City Showdown

Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks

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

Coming back to the scene of one of their historic victories, Ireland find themselves with a statement to make.

Nine years ago, they were largely written off before confronting the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners and in the midst of an 18-game winning streak, while they maintained 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 conceded 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 breaking their own century-long hoodoo.

The final outcome was a breakthrough triumph over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that transformed the trajectory of Irish rugby and fueled 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 perfect way 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 developing rivalry.

But, having returned to his primary role after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by assertions that he presides over an ageing and not fully ready Irish squad entering an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

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

In Farrell's absence, they lost the Six Nations title after a thumping and humbling home defeat by France.

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

Ireland's training have not been aided by physical setbacks to key players, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.

With Ireland's first-choice team 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 in-form athletes.

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 merited selections 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 reminded 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 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 feels he is ready to taste the top tier.

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 led the Lions against Western Force in June, securing victories in both matches.

Sheehan said the current group replicating the 2016 win would be "highly significant" in this squad's list of achievements.

"The 2016 achievement, we've talked about it a bit, that was a bit of a memorable occasion for every Irish sports fan," he said.

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

"Clearly we've had some significant clashes 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 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 merited 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are certainly 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 detractors, they remain a powerful counter-attacking team filled with game-breaking talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's reappearance at fly-half is a considerable boost 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 scored against Farrell's side.

Ireland have a statement to make. New Zealand have a memorable setback to rectify.

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to build anticipation in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's top teams has all the right ingredients.

Ireland will definitely not be lacking in support, with emerald shirts dotted all over central Chicago on Friday night.

Their attendance at Soldier Field will recall 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 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.