Ireland and All Blacks Ready for Chicago Reunion

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

As they return to the venue of one of their most famous triumphs, Ireland stand with a mission to accomplish.

Nine years ago, they were mostly dismissed before facing the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

The skepticism was understandable. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners 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.

Looking back at that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week acknowledged the All Blacks got "caught up" in the excitement 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 century-long hoodoo.

The end result was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that transformed the path of Irish rugby and fueled an passionate and engaging rivalry between the sides.

Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as earth-shattering as it was in 2016, it would be the perfect way for Ireland to disprove those who view them as a fading force.

Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has secured a great deal as Ireland boss, not least the 2022 series victory on New Zealand soil that heightened to a growing rivalry.

But, having returned to his day job after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by suggestions that he leads an ageing and undercooked Irish squad approaching an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

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

In Farrell's time away, 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 under their belt this season.

Ireland's training have not been aided by physical setbacks to crucial team members, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those missing.

With Ireland's starting lineup having not played together since the Six Nations win over Italy in March, Farrell has been training 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 in-form athletes.

Jack Crowley, who lost 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 deserved starters 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 signaled his more experienced players 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 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 believes he is ready to sample the highest level.

As 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 led the Lions against Western Force in June, coming out on top in both contests.

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

"That historic win, we've talked about 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 remarkable that day was.

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

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

The All Blacks are definitely more experienced 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 finished 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 packed with match-winning 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 brilliant against Ireland in the past.

And in Will Jordan the All Blacks possess one of the game's most effective finishers. The 27-year-old usually excels 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 memorable setback to overcome.

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to generate excitement in rugby, and this American reunion between two of the sport's top teams has all the necessary elements.

Ireland will undoubtedly not be short of support, with emerald shirts present all over central Chicago on Friday night.

Their appearance 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 proves decisive in Chicago for the return engagement is yet to be determined.

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.