Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago Date: Saturday, 1 November Kick-off: 20:10 GMT
Coming back to the location of one of their iconic wins, Ireland stand with a statement to make.
Back in 2016, they were mostly dismissed before facing the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.
This wasn't unexpected. New Zealand were reigning world cup winners and in the midst of an 18-game winning streak, while they boasted 27 victories and a draw from 28 prior encounters with the Irish.
Considering that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week admitted 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 focused intensely and set about breaking their own century-long hoodoo.
The final outcome was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that transformed the direction of Irish rugby and sparked an fierce and compelling competition 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 scoff at those who view them as a waning team.
Leadership Test
Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has achieved a great deal as Ireland boss, not least the 2022 series victory 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 bothered by claims that he manages an veteran and not fully ready Irish squad heading into an November tests that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.
However, there is no doubting that Ireland are at an crucial stage two years out from the World Cup in Australia.
In Farrell's absence, they surrendered the Six Nations title after a comprehensive and humbling home defeat by France.
Farrell brought a largest-ever Irish representation on the Lions tour, the aftermath from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game under their belt this season.
Ireland's training have not been aided by injuries to crucial team members, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.
Number Ten Restored
With Ireland's first-choice team 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 scrutinised his players over the past 10 days, he has chosen to fill his team with form players.
Jack Crowley, who surrendered the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is reinstated on the back of a strong start 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 consistent flanker option.
Farrell has also reminded his more experienced players 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 since his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly thinks he is ready to sample the top tier.
Leadership Role
With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has awarded Dan Sheehan with the leadership role.
The 27-year-old hooker captained 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 matching the 2016 win would be "highly significant" in this squad's list of accomplishments.
"The 2016 achievement, we've talked about it a bit, that was a bit of a life moment 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 big battles against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty enthusiastic to almost share in that day in 2016 and for the return fixture."
NZ Targeting Three in a Row
New Zealand are aiming for a third successive wins over Ireland - after edging an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a merited 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.
The All Blacks are definitely more seasoned 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 powerful counter-attacking team boasting decisive talent.
Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's reappearance at fly-half is a major plus 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 effective finishers. The 27-year-old usually performs against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries registered versus Farrell's side.
Major Implications
Ireland have a statement to make. New Zealand have a memorable setback to rectify.
Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no poor moment to build anticipation in rugby, and this American reunion between two of the sport's heavyweights has all the perfect components.
Ireland will certainly not be short of support, with emerald shirts dotted all over the city center on Friday night.
Their appearance at Soldier Field will recall memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to drive Ireland over the line then. Whether it does the trick in Chicago for the repeat performance will be discovered.
Line-ups
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.
