The Irish team and All Blacks Primed for Chicago Rematch

Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks

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

As they return to the venue of one of their iconic triumphs, Ireland find themselves with a statement to make.

Back in 2016, they were generally underestimated before meeting the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.

The skepticism was understandable. New Zealand were world champions and in the midst of an 18-match unbeaten run, while they had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 earlier matchups with the Irish.

Considering that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week acknowledged 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 focused intensely and set about breaking their own century-long hoodoo.

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 ignited 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 declining power.

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

But, having returned to his primary role after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by claims that he leads an ageing and underprepared Irish squad heading into an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Nevertheless, there is no denying that Ireland are at an crucial stage two years out from the World Cup in Australia.

In Farrell's absence, they relinquished the Six Nations title after a thumping and reality-check home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a largest-ever Irish representation on the Lions tour, the fallout from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game played this season.

Ireland's readiness have not been helped by injuries to key players, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

With Ireland's frontline side having not played together since the Six Nations win over Italy in March, Farrell has been working with his squad in Chicago since 21 October.

And, having evaluated his players over the past 10 days, he has decided to fill his team with in-form athletes.

Jack Crowley, who gave up 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 merited selections at inside centre and right wing.

In the pack, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another opportunity to prove he can be a consistent flanker option.

Farrell has also reminded his more seasoned athletes of the youth coming through by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his watch list since performing well 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 top tier.

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

The 27-year-old hooker led Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and skippered the Lions against Western Force in June, securing victories in both matches.

Sheehan said the current group matching the 2016 win would be "among the top" in this squad's list of accomplishments.

"The 2016 achievement, we've discussed it a bit, that was a bit of a life moment for every Irish sports fan," he said.

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

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

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

New Zealand have placed 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 devastating counter-attacking team filled with match-winning talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's comeback 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 possess one of the game's most lethal finishers. The 27-year-old usually excels against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries coming against Farrell's side.

Ireland have a reputation to defend. New Zealand have a famous defeat to avenge.

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no wrong occasion to build anticipation in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the necessary elements.

Ireland will definitely not be short of support, with green jerseys 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 propel 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.