The Irish team and All Blacks Ready for Windy City Rematch

Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks

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

As they return to the scene of one of their most famous wins, Ireland find themselves with a mission to accomplish.

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

This wasn't unexpected. New Zealand were world champions and in the middle of an 18 consecutive victories, while they maintained 27 victories and a draw from 28 earlier matchups with the Irish.

Considering that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week admitted the All Blacks got "distracted" in the hubbub created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

For Ireland, the team focused intensely and set about overcoming their own generational curse.

The final outcome was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that revolutionized the path of Irish rugby and ignited an fierce and compelling competition between the sides.

Although 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 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 burgeoning rivalry.

But, having returned 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 not fully ready Irish squad approaching an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

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

In Farrell's absence, they surrendered the Six Nations title after a thumping and humbling 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 preparations have not been helped by injuries to crucial team members, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.

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 assessed his players over the past 10 days, he has chosen 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 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 forwards, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance 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.

Earlier this week, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his consideration 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 believes he is ready to experience the elite competition.

With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has given Dan Sheehan with the skipper position.

The 27-year-old hooker led 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 existing team repeating the 2016 win would be "highly significant" in this squad's list of achievements.

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

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

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

New Zealand are targeting a third successive wins over Ireland - after just beating an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a deserved 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are definitely 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 placed 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 devastating 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 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 scored against Farrell's side.

Ireland have a statement to make. New Zealand have a famous defeat to overcome.

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 perfect components.

Ireland will undoubtedly not be lacking in support, with Irish colors present all over the city center 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 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.