The Irish team and All Blacks Prepared for Chicago Rematch

Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks

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

Coming back to the location of one of their most famous victories, Ireland find themselves with a point to prove.

Back in 2016, they were generally underestimated before meeting the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

The skepticism was understandable. New Zealand were world champions and in the thick 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.

Meanwhile, the team knuckled down and set about overcoming their own generational curse.

The end result was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that revolutionized the path of Irish rugby and ignited an intense and captivating 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 optimal approach for Ireland to disprove those who view them as a declining power.

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 annoyed by suggestions that he leads an ageing and not fully ready Irish squad entering an November tests that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

However, there is no questioning 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 comprehensive and reality-check home defeat by France.

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

Ireland's preparations have not been aided by injuries to important squad members, too, with established performers 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 preparing with his squad in Chicago since 21 October.

And, having evaluated his players over the past 10 days, he has chosen to fill his team with players performing well.

Jack Crowley, who gave up the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is returned on the back of a impressive beginning to the season with Munster, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy O'Brien are earned positions 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 signaled his more seasoned athletes of the emerging talent by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his consideration 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 believes he is ready to sample the elite competition.

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

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

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

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

"Huge recollections, everyone has a recollection 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 feel a part of that day in 2016 and for the rematch."

New Zealand are targeting a third successive wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a merited 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are undoubtedly more experienced 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 come runner-up to South Africa in the Rugby Championship over the past two years and, while head coach Scott Robertson has his critics, they remain a powerful counter-attacking team packed with decisive 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 brilliant 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 performs 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 famous defeat to rectify.

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to drum up interest in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's heavyweights has all the necessary elements.

Ireland will certainly not be short of support, with green jerseys visible all over the city center on Friday night.

Their presence at Soldier Field will bring back 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 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.