The Irish team and All Blacks Prepared for Windy City Rematch

Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand

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

As they return to the location of one of their iconic triumphs, Ireland find themselves with a mission to accomplish.

Nine years ago, they were largely written off before meeting the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster 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 had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 prior encounters with the Irish.

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

Meanwhile, the team concentrated fully and set about lifting their own generational curse.

The end result was a breakthrough triumph over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that revolutionized the trajectory of Irish rugby and ignited an intense and captivating rivalry between the sides.

Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as transformative as it was in 2016, it would be the perfect way for Ireland to challenge those who view them as a declining power.

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

But, having returned to his primary role after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by claims that he presides over an older and underprepared Irish squad entering an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Nevertheless, there is no questioning that Ireland are at an crucial stage two years out from the World Cup in Australia.

In Farrell's time away, they lost the Six Nations title after a comprehensive and sobering 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 to their name this season.

Ireland's training 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 first-choice team 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 assessed his players over the past 10 days, he has decided to fill his team with players performing well.

Jack Crowley, who lost the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is returned on the back of a impressive beginning 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 consistent flanker option.

Farrell has also indicated 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 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 since his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly thinks he is ready to experience the highest level.

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

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

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

"The 2016 achievement, 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 remarkable that day was.

"Obviously we've had some significant clashes 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 rematch."

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

The All Blacks are undoubtedly more battle-hardened 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 placed 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 boasting match-winning talent.

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

And in Will Jordan the All Blacks have 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 poor moment to drum up interest in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's top teams has all the necessary elements.

Ireland will certainly not be short of support, with green jerseys dotted all over downtown Chicago on Friday night.

Their appearance 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 makes the difference 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.