Ireland and New Zealand Ready for Chicago Showdown

Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand

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

Coming back to the venue of one of their iconic victories, Ireland find themselves with a point to prove.

Back in 2016, they were largely written off before facing the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were world champions and in the middle of an 18-match unbeaten run, while they maintained 27 victories and a draw from 28 prior encounters with the Irish.

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

On the other side, the team knuckled down and set about breaking their own 111-year drought.

The culmination was a breakthrough triumph over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, 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 optimal approach for Ireland to scoff at those who view them as a waning team.

Andy Farrell, defence coach under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has achieved a great deal as Ireland head coach, not least the 2022 series victory on New Zealand soil that added more fire to a developing rivalry.

But, having come back to his day job after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by claims that he presides over an ageing and not fully ready Irish squad heading into an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

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

In Farrell's time away, they relinquished the Six Nations title after a thumping and sobering 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 preparations have not been helped by physical setbacks to key players, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

Given Ireland's starting lineup 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 players performing well.

Jack Crowley, who lost 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 deserved starters 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 signaled his more experienced players of the developing players by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his consideration since impressing 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 sample the elite competition.

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

The 27-year-old hooker captained Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and captained the Lions against Western Force in June, winning both games.

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

"The 2016 achievement, we've mentioned 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 special that day was.

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

New Zealand are aiming for a third successive wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before claiming a deserved 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are certainly more battle-hardened 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 detractors, they remain a powerful counter-attacking team boasting match-winning talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's return at fly-half is a significant advantage for Robertson, while Ardie Savea has been brilliant 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 performs against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries registered versus Farrell's side.

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

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 powerhouses has all the perfect components.

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

Their attendance 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 second time 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.