The Irish team and New Zealand Prepared for Chicago Rematch

Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks

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

Coming back to the scene of one of their historic victories, Ireland stand with a point to prove.

Back in 2016, they were largely written off before facing the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.

This wasn't unexpected. New Zealand were global title holders and in the midst of an 18 consecutive victories, while they had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.

Considering that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week admitted the All Blacks got "distracted" in the frenzy created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

On the other side, the team concentrated fully and set about lifting their own 111-year drought.

The culmination was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that transformed the direction of Irish rugby and ignited an intense and captivating 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 optimal approach for Ireland to disprove those who view them as a fading force.

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

But, having come back to his day job after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by claims that he leads an older and not fully ready Irish squad heading into an November tests that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Nevertheless, there is no denying 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 comprehensive 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 played this season.

Ireland's preparations have not been helped by fitness concerns to crucial team members, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

With 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 evaluated his players over the past 10 days, he has decided to fill his team with players performing well.

Jack Crowley, who gave up the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is returned on the back of a excellent opening 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 regular back-row starter.

Farrell has also reminded 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 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 feels he is ready to taste the elite competition.

As Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has given Dan Sheehan with the leadership role.

The 27-year-old hooker captained Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and captained the Lions against Western Force in June, winning both games.

Sheehan said the current group replicating the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of successes.

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

"Huge recollections, everyone has a recollection of where they were and how unique 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 experience that day in 2016 and for the rematch."

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

The All Blacks are certainly more battle-hardened 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 filled with decisive talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's comeback at fly-half is a major plus for Robertson, while Ardie Savea has been exceptional against Ireland in the past.

And in Will Jordan the All Blacks possess 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 rectify.

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no bad time to build anticipation in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's heavyweights has all the necessary elements.

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

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