The Irish team and New Zealand Prepared for Chicago Reunion

Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v New Zealand

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

As they return to the location of one of their historic wins, Ireland find themselves with a point to prove.

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

The skepticism was understandable. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners and in the thick of an 18-game winning streak, while they boasted 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.

Reflecting on that week almost a decade later, 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 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 competing, a day that transformed the trajectory of Irish rugby and ignited an intense and captivating contest between the sides.

While beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as transformative as it was in 2016, it would be the optimal approach for Ireland to scoff at those who view them as a waning team.

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

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

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

In Farrell's time away, they relinquished the Six Nations title after a decisive and reality-check home defeat by France.

Farrell brought a historic number of Irish players on the Lions tour, the consequences from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game under their belt this season.

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

With 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 assessed 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 returned on the back of a strong start 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 opportunity to prove he can be a consistent flanker option.

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 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 experience the top tier.

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

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 existing team matching the 2016 win would be "among the top" in this squad's list of successes.

"That historic win, we've mentioned it a bit, that was a bit of a defining experience 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 major contests 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 second meeting."

New Zealand are targeting a third successive wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a deserved 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.

The All Blacks are undoubtedly more seasoned 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 finished 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 devastating counter-attacking team packed with game-breaking talent.

Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's return 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 most effective 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 reputation to defend. New Zealand have a famous defeat to rectify.

With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to generate excitement in rugby, and this US meeting between two of the sport's top teams has all the perfect components.

Ireland will definitely not be lacking in support, with emerald shirts visible 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 propel Ireland over the line then. Whether it proves decisive in Chicago for the repeat performance is yet to be determined.

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.