The Irish team and New Zealand Prepared for Windy City Rematch

Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand

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

Coming back to the venue of one of their most famous victories, Ireland find themselves with a point to prove.

Back in 2016, they were mostly dismissed before facing the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.

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

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

For Ireland, the team knuckled down 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 changed the path of Irish rugby and ignited an fierce and compelling rivalry between the sides.

Although 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 disprove those who view them as a fading force.

Andy Farrell, defence coach 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 intensified to a growing rivalry.

But, having come back to his day job after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by suggestions that he leads an older and underprepared Irish squad approaching an fall series that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

Nevertheless, there is no denying that Ireland are at an interesting juncture two years out from the World Cup in Australia.

In Farrell's time away, they lost the Six Nations title after a decisive and humbling 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 training have not been assisted by injuries to crucial team members, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.

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

Jack Crowley, who lost the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is returned on the back of a excellent opening 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 opportunity to prove he can be a established loose forward.

Farrell has also reminded his more seasoned athletes of the developing players by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his watch list 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 taste the highest level.

As Caelan Doris on the bench after returning from shoulder surgery, Farrell has given Dan Sheehan with the captaincy.

The 27-year-old hooker led 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 current group matching the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of successes.

"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.

"Significant moments, everyone has a remembrance of where they were and how special that day was.

"Clearly we've had some significant clashes against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty excited to almost share in that day in 2016 and for the second meeting."

New Zealand are targeting a third successive wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving 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 come runner-up to South Africa in the Rugby Championship over the past two years and, while head coach Scott Robertson has his doubters, they remain a lethal counter-attacking team boasting decisive talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's comeback 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 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 overcome.

Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no wrong occasion to drum up interest in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the right ingredients.

Ireland will certainly not be lacking in support, with emerald shirts dotted all over the city center on Friday night.

Their presence at Soldier Field will evoke memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to push Ireland over the line then. Whether it proves decisive 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.