The Irish team and All Blacks Primed for Windy City Reunion

Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks

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

As they return to the venue of one of their iconic victories, Ireland find themselves with a statement to make.

Back in 2016, they were mostly dismissed before facing the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

This wasn't unexpected. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners and in the middle of an 18-match unbeaten run, while they maintained 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.

Considering that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week admitted the All Blacks got "caught up" in the frenzy created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

Meanwhile, the team focused intensely and set about overcoming their own generational curse.

The final outcome was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that revolutionized the trajectory of Irish rugby and fueled an fierce and compelling contest between the sides.

While beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as seismic as it was in 2016, it would be the ideal manner 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 boss, not least the 2022 series triumph on New Zealand soil that heightened to a burgeoning rivalry.

But, having come back to his day job after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by claims that he presides over an veteran and undercooked 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 relinquished the Six Nations title after a thumping and sobering home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a record Irish contingent on the Lions tour, the aftermath from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game played this season.

Ireland's readiness have not been aided by injuries to key players, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

Given Ireland's starting lineup having not played together since the Six Nations win over Italy in March, Farrell has been training 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 players performing well.

Jack Crowley, who lost 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 deserved starters 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 indicated his more seasoned athletes of the developing players by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Earlier this week, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his radar 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 since his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly feels he is ready to sample the top tier.

As Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has awarded Dan Sheehan with the skipper position.

The 27-year-old hooker captained 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 repeating the 2016 win would be "highly significant" 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.

"Massive memories, everyone has a recollection of where they were and how special 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 feel a part of that day in 2016 and for the return fixture."

New Zealand are targeting a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an unforgettable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a merited 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are definitely more experienced than Ireland, with a Test series against France and the Rugby Championship resulting in them playing nine times since the start of July.

New Zealand have placed 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 powerful counter-attacking team filled with match-winning talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's comeback 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 possess 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 point to prove. New Zealand have a famous defeat to rectify.

With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no bad time to generate excitement in rugby, and this American reunion between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the perfect components.

Ireland will certainly not be lacking in support, with Irish colors dotted 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 proves decisive in Chicago for the return engagement 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.