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 scene of one of their iconic wins, Ireland stand with a statement to make.
Nine years ago, they were largely written off before facing the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.
The skepticism was understandable. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners and in the thick of an 18-match unbeaten run, while they maintained 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.
Reflecting on that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week acknowledged the All Blacks got "caught up" in the frenzy created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.
Meanwhile, the team knuckled down and set about breaking their own century-long hoodoo.
The end result was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that revolutionized the trajectory of Irish rugby and ignited an fierce and compelling contest between the sides.
Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as seismic as it was in 2016, it would be the perfect way for Ireland to disprove those who view them as a fading force.
Coach's Mission
Andy Farrell, defence coach under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has accomplished a great deal as Ireland boss, not least the 2022 series success on New Zealand soil that heightened to a growing rivalry.
But, having returned to his day job after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by assertions that he leads an veteran and not fully ready Irish squad approaching an fall series 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 absence, they relinquished the Six Nations title after a thumping and humbling home defeat by France.
Farrell brought a record Irish contingent on the Lions tour, the aftermath from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game to their name this season.
Ireland's readiness have not been helped by physical setbacks to important squad members, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.
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 working with his squad in Chicago since 21 October.
And, having scrutinised his players over the past 10 days, he has decided to fill his team with form players.
Jack Crowley, who gave up the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is restored on the back of a excellent opening 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 established loose forward.
Farrell has also signaled his more veteran squad members of the developing players by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.
Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his radar 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 removed from his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly feels he is ready to taste the elite competition.
Leadership Role
As Caelan Doris on the bench after returning from shoulder surgery, Farrell has awarded Dan Sheehan with the captaincy.
The 27-year-old hooker captained Ireland against Wales in this year's Six Nations and skippered the Lions against Western Force in June, securing victories in both matches.
Sheehan said the present squad repeating the 2016 win would be "highly significant" in this squad's list of achievements.
"That historic win, we've mentioned it a bit, that was a bit of a life moment for every Irish sports fan," he said.
"Huge recollections, everyone has a remembrance of where they were and how unique that day was.
"Clearly we've had some big battles 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 rematch."
New Zealand Aiming for Triple
New Zealand are targeting a third consecutive wins over Ireland - after just beating an unforgettable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a earned 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 devastating counter-attacking team packed with match-winning 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 exceptional against Ireland in the past.
And in Will Jordan the All Blacks have one of the game's most lethal 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 historic loss to rectify.
With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to drum up interest in rugby, and this US meeting between two of the sport's top teams has all the right ingredients.
Ireland will undoubtedly not be short of support, with Irish colors present 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 does the trick in Chicago for the return engagement will be discovered.
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.
