Ireland and New Zealand Ready for Chicago Showdown

Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v New Zealand

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

Coming back 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 midst of an 18 consecutive victories, while they boasted 27 victories and a draw from 28 earlier matchups 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.

Meanwhile, the team concentrated fully and set about overcoming their own century-long hoodoo.

The final outcome was a breakthrough triumph over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that changed the path of Irish rugby and ignited an passionate and engaging competition between the sides.

While 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 scoff at those who view them as a waning team.

Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has achieved a great deal as Ireland boss, not least the 2022 series success on New Zealand soil that added more fire to a developing rivalry.

But, having come back to his day job after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by assertions that he manages an ageing and underprepared Irish squad heading into an fall series that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Nevertheless, there is no denying that Ireland are at an pivotal moment two years out from the World Cup in Australia.

In Farrell's time away, they lost the Six Nations title after a comprehensive and reality-check home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a historic number of Irish players 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 fitness concerns to important squad members, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.

With Ireland's frontline side 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 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 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 forwards, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance to prove he can be a regular back-row starter.

Farrell has also reminded his more veteran squad members of the emerging talent by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his watch list 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 feels 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 skipper position.

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

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

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

"Massive memories, everyone has a memory 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 enthusiastic to almost experience that day in 2016 and for the return fixture."

New Zealand are targeting a third successive wins over Ireland - after edging an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a merited 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 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 critics, they remain a powerful counter-attacking team packed with game-breaking talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's reappearance 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 scored against Farrell's side.

Ireland have a point to prove. New Zealand have a memorable setback to avenge.

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

Ireland will definitely 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 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.