The Irish team and All Blacks Prepared for Chicago Showdown

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

As they return to the scene of one of their historic triumphs, Ireland stand with a statement to make.

Nine years ago, they were mostly dismissed before confronting 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-game winning streak, while they had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.

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

Meanwhile, the team concentrated fully and set about lifting their own generational curse.

The end result was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that transformed the path of Irish rugby and fueled an fierce and compelling competition between the sides.

Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as transformative as it was in 2016, it would be the ideal manner for Ireland to challenge those who view them as a waning team.

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

But, having returned to his primary role after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by suggestions that he presides over an older and underprepared Irish squad heading into an fall series 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 absence, 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 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 assisted by fitness concerns to crucial team members, too, with regular starters 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 working with his squad in Chicago since 21 October.

And, having assessed 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 reinstated on the back of a impressive beginning 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 reminded his more seasoned athletes of the developing players by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his radar 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 believes he is ready to taste 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 captained Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and led the Lions against Western Force in June, winning both games.

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

"That 2016 moment, we've discussed it a bit, that was a bit of a memorable occasion for every Irish sports fan," he said.

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

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

New Zealand are targeting a third successive wins over Ireland - after just beating an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a deserved 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are definitely more seasoned 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 detractors, they remain a lethal counter-attacking team boasting decisive talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's reappearance at fly-half is a considerable boost 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 deadliest finishers. The 27-year-old usually delivers against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries registered versus Farrell's side.

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

With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no bad time to drum up interest in rugby, and this US meeting between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the perfect components.

Ireland will undoubtedly not be lacking in support, with green jerseys visible all over central Chicago on Friday night.

Their presence at Soldier Field will recall 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 repeat performance 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.