The Irish team and All Blacks Ready for Windy City Showdown

Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand

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

Coming back to the scene of one of their historic wins, Ireland find themselves with a statement to make.

Nine years ago, they were mostly dismissed before facing the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were world champions and in the thick of an 18 consecutive victories, while they boasted 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.

Looking back at that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week acknowledged the All Blacks got "swept away" in the frenzy created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

On the other side, the team knuckled down and set about breaking their own century-long hoodoo.

The final outcome was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that revolutionized the path of Irish rugby and ignited an passionate and engaging rivalry 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 disprove those who view them as a declining power.

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

But, having come back to his day job after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by claims that he presides over an older and undercooked Irish squad approaching an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

However, there is no doubting 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 sobering 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 readiness have not been assisted by fitness concerns to important squad members, too, with established performers 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 chosen to fill his team with in-form athletes.

Jack Crowley, who gave up the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is restored 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 forwards, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance to prove he can be a regular back-row starter.

Farrell has also reminded his more experienced players of the emerging talent by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his radar 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 thinks he is ready to experience the top tier.

With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has entrusted 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, coming out on top in both contests.

Sheehan said the existing team repeating the 2016 win would be "among the top" in this squad's list of successes.

"That 2016 moment, we've mentioned it a bit, that was a bit of a defining experience for every Irish sports fan," he said.

"Massive memories, everyone has a memory of where they were and how unique that day was.

"Obviously we've had some significant clashes 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 second meeting."

New Zealand are aiming for a third consecutive wins over Ireland - after just beating an unforgettable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a merited 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 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 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 considerable boost for Robertson, while Ardie Savea has been outstanding against Ireland in the past.

And in Will Jordan the All Blacks boast one of the game's most lethal finishers. The 27-year-old usually delivers against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries scored against Farrell's side.

Ireland have a reputation to defend. New Zealand have a famous defeat to overcome.

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

Ireland will undoubtedly not be short of support, with Irish colors present all over the city center on Friday night.

Their presence at Soldier Field will recall 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 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.