The Irish team and New Zealand Ready for Windy City Showdown

Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks

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

Coming back to the venue of one of their iconic victories, Ireland stand with a statement to make.

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

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

Looking back at 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.

On the other side, the team knuckled down and set about breaking their own 111-year drought.

The culmination was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that transformed the trajectory of Irish rugby and sparked an intense and captivating competition 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 ideal manner for Ireland to challenge those who view them as a declining power.

Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has achieved a great deal as Ireland manager, not least the 2022 series success on New Zealand soil that added more fire to a growing rivalry.

But, having returned to his day job after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by claims that he manages an ageing 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 questioning 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 comprehensive and reality-check home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a largest-ever Irish representation on the Lions tour, the consequences from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game to their name this season.

Ireland's preparations have not been assisted by injuries to crucial team members, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

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 assessed his players over the past 10 days, he has opted to fill his team with in-form athletes.

Jack Crowley, who gave up the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is reinstated on the back of a impressive beginning to the season with Munster, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy O'Brien are merited selections at inside centre and right wing.

In the pack, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance to prove he can be a established loose forward.

Farrell has also signaled 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 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 removed from his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly feels he is ready to experience the top tier.

With Caelan Doris on the bench after returning from shoulder surgery, Farrell has entrusted Dan Sheehan with the skipper position.

The 27-year-old hooker led 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 matching the 2016 win would be "highly significant" in this squad's list of accomplishments.

"That 2016 moment, we've talked about it a bit, that was a bit of a memorable occasion for every Irish sports fan," he said.

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

"Obviously we've had some significant clashes 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 return fixture."

New Zealand are aiming for a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an unforgettable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before claiming a merited 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 resulting in them playing nine times since the start of July.

New Zealand have come runner-up to South Africa in the Rugby Championship over the past two years and, while head coach Scott Robertson has his critics, they remain a powerful counter-attacking team boasting decisive talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's return 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 point to prove. New Zealand have a historic loss to rectify.

With 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 top teams has all the necessary elements.

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

Their attendance at Soldier Field will recall 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 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.