Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago Fixture: Saturday, 1 November Start time: 20:10 GMT
As they return to the venue of one of their most famous wins, Ireland find themselves with a mission to accomplish.
Back in 2016, they were generally underestimated before meeting 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 consecutive victories, while they boasted 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.
Reflecting on that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week admitted the All Blacks got "distracted" in the excitement created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.
For Ireland, the team focused intensely and set about overcoming their own 111-year drought.
The culmination was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that changed the trajectory of Irish rugby and fueled an passionate and engaging 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 perfect way for Ireland to challenge those who view them as a waning team.
Farrell's Challenge
Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator 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 heightened to a burgeoning rivalry.
But, having come back to his day job after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by claims that he leads an veteran and not fully ready Irish squad heading into an autumn campaign 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 lost the Six Nations title after a thumping 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 to their name this season.
Ireland's readiness have not been assisted by injuries to important squad members, too, with established performers Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.
Crowley Back at 10
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 evaluated his players over the past 10 days, he has opted to fill his team with in-form athletes.
Jack Crowley, who surrendered 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 deserved starters 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 indicated his more experienced players of the emerging talent by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.
Earlier this week, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his radar 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 taste the top tier.
Captain Sheehan
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 skippered the Lions against Western Force in June, coming out on top in both contests.
Sheehan said the existing team replicating the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of achievements.
"The 2016 achievement, we've discussed 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 remarkable that day was.
"Clearly we've had some major contests 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."
NZ Targeting Three in a Row
New Zealand are aiming for a third consecutive wins over Ireland - after edging an unforgettable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a earned 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.
The All Blacks are definitely 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 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 filled with 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 brilliant 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 excels against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries coming against Farrell's side.
Everything to Play For
Ireland have a point to prove. New Zealand have a famous defeat to overcome.
Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no bad time to build anticipation in rugby, and this US meeting between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the right ingredients.
Ireland will certainly not be lacking in support, with green jerseys present all over central Chicago on Friday night.
Their attendance at Soldier Field will bring back memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to propel Ireland over the line then. Whether it makes the difference in Chicago for the repeat performance is yet to be determined.
Team Selections
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.
