The Irish team and All Blacks Ready for Windy City Showdown

Fall Internationals: Ireland v New Zealand

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

Coming back to the location of one of their historic victories, Ireland stand with a point to prove.

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

It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were world champions and in the middle of an 18 consecutive victories, 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 acknowledged the All Blacks got "swept away" in the hubbub created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.

Meanwhile, the team knuckled down and set about breaking their own generational curse.

The culmination was a breakthrough triumph over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that changed the trajectory of Irish rugby and fueled an fierce and compelling contest 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 scoff at those who view them as a fading force.

Andy Farrell, defence coach under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has achieved a great deal as Ireland boss, 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 manages an veteran and not fully ready Irish squad entering an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

However, there is no denying that Ireland are at an crucial stage 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 aftermath from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game played this season.

Ireland's training have not been assisted by physical setbacks to key players, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.

Given Ireland's frontline side 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 scrutinised his players over the past 10 days, he has chosen 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 earned positions at inside centre and right wing.

In the pack, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance to prove he can be a regular back-row starter.

Farrell has also indicated his more veteran squad members 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 consideration 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 believes he is ready to experience the elite competition.

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 captained 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 existing team matching the 2016 win would be "highly significant" in this squad's list of achievements.

"That historic win, we've talked about it a bit, that was a bit of a defining experience for every Irish sports fan," he said.

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

"Obviously we've had some significant clashes against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty buzzing to almost feel a part of that day in 2016 and for the rematch."

New Zealand are aiming for a third successive wins over Ireland - after just beating an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a merited 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 meaning 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 doubters, they remain a devastating counter-attacking team packed with 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 exceptional 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 performs against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries coming against Farrell's side.

Ireland have a point to prove. New Zealand have a famous defeat to rectify.

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 US meeting between two of the sport's top teams has all the perfect components.

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

Their attendance 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 proves decisive in Chicago for the second time 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.