Ireland and New Zealand Ready for Windy City Rematch

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

Coming back to the venue of one of their historic wins, Ireland stand with a mission to accomplish.

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 midst of an 18-game winning streak, while they had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 prior encounters with the Irish.

Reflecting on that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week conceded the All Blacks got "caught up" 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 lifting their own century-long hoodoo.

The final outcome was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that changed the trajectory of Irish rugby and ignited an intense and captivating rivalry between the sides.

Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as transformative as it was in 2016, it would be the optimal approach for Ireland to disprove those who view them as a fading force.

Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has accomplished a great deal as Ireland head coach, not least the 2022 series success on New Zealand soil that intensified to a developing rivalry.

But, having returned to his day job after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked 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.

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

In Farrell's time away, they relinquished the Six Nations title after a comprehensive and humbling home defeat by France.

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

Ireland's readiness have not been assisted by fitness concerns to key players, too, with established performers Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those missing.

Given Ireland's first-choice team 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 scrutinised his players over the past 10 days, he has opted to fill his team with in-form athletes.

Jack Crowley, who gave up the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is reinstated 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 forwards, 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 youth coming through 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 removed from his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly feels he is ready to sample the highest level.

As 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 skippered the Lions against Western Force in June, securing victories in both matches.

Sheehan said the present squad replicating the 2016 win would be "highly significant" in this squad's list of achievements.

"That historic win, we've mentioned it a bit, that was a bit of a defining experience for every Irish sports fan," he said.

"Significant moments, everyone has a recollection of where they were and how special that day was.

"Obviously we've had some major contests 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 targeting a third successive wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a deserved 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 finished 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 boasting game-breaking talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's comeback 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 boast one of the game's deadliest finishers. The 27-year-old usually performs against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries coming against 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 drum up interest 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 visible all over the city center on Friday night.

Their attendance at Soldier Field will bring back memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to push Ireland over the line then. Whether it does the trick in Chicago for the second time 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.