The Irish team and All Blacks Prepared for Chicago Rematch

Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand

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

Coming back to the scene of one of their most famous triumphs, Ireland find themselves with a mission to accomplish.

Back in 2016, they were largely written off before meeting the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were world champions and in the midst of an 18-game winning streak, while they maintained 27 victories and a draw from 28 earlier matchups with the Irish.

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

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

The culmination was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that revolutionized the trajectory of Irish rugby and ignited 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 optimal approach for Ireland to scoff at those who view them as a declining power.

Andy Farrell, defence coach under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has accomplished a great deal as Ireland boss, not least the 2022 series success on New Zealand soil that heightened to a burgeoning rivalry.

But, having returned to his day job after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by assertions that he manages an older and underprepared Irish squad approaching an fall series that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

However, there is no doubting 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 decisive and humbling home defeat by France.

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

Ireland's readiness have not been helped by fitness concerns to key players, too, with first-choice players 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 preparing with his squad in Chicago since 21 October.

And, having scrutinised his players over the past 10 days, he has decided to fill his team with players performing well.

Jack Crowley, who surrendered 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 pack, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another opportunity to prove he can be a established loose forward.

Farrell has also signaled his more seasoned athletes 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 believes he is ready to sample the elite competition.

With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has entrusted 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, winning both games.

Sheehan said the present squad repeating the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of accomplishments.

"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 memory 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 experience that day in 2016 and for the rematch."

New Zealand are seeking a third successive wins over Ireland - after edging an unforgettable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before claiming a deserved 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are certainly 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 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 lethal counter-attacking team boasting decisive 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 outstanding against Ireland in the past.

And in Will Jordan the All Blacks possess one of the game's most lethal 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 reputation to defend. New Zealand have a famous defeat to rectify.

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to build anticipation in rugby, and this American reunion between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the right ingredients.

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

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