The Irish team and New Zealand Ready for Chicago Showdown

Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand

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

Coming back to the venue of one of their most famous victories, Ireland stand 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.

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners and in the middle of an 18 consecutive victories, while they had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 earlier matchups 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 overcoming their own generational curse.

The culmination was a breakthrough triumph over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that revolutionized the trajectory of Irish rugby and ignited an intense and captivating rivalry 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 declining power.

Andy Farrell, defence coach under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has secured 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 primary role after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by suggestions 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 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 sobering home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a historic number of Irish players on the Lions tour, the consequences from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game under their belt this season.

Ireland's training have not been helped by fitness concerns to key players, too, with regular starters 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 scrutinised his players over the past 10 days, he has decided to fill his team with players performing well.

Jack Crowley, who surrendered the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is reinstated on the back of a strong start 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 established loose forward.

Farrell has also reminded his more seasoned athletes of the emerging talent by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Earlier this week, 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 removed from his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly thinks he is ready to taste the top tier.

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

The 27-year-old hooker captained Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and skippered the Lions against Western Force in June, coming out on top in both contests.

Sheehan said the existing team matching the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of achievements.

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

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

"Clearly we've had some major contests 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 second meeting."

New Zealand are targeting a third consecutive wins over Ireland - after just beating an unforgettable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a earned 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are definitely more battle-hardened than Ireland, with a Test series against France and the Rugby Championship leading to 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 detractors, they remain a devastating counter-attacking team packed with 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 exceptional 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 excels against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries scored against Farrell's side.

Ireland have a reputation to defend. New Zealand have a historic loss to overcome.

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

Ireland will undoubtedly not be short of support, with Irish colors present all over downtown Chicago on Friday night.

Their appearance at Soldier Field will recall 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 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.