Fall Internationals: Irish vs All Blacks
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago Date: Saturday, 1 November Kick-off: 20:10 GMT
Coming back to the venue of one of their most famous wins, Ireland find themselves with a point to prove.
Back in 2016, they were largely written off before confronting the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.
It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were global title holders and in the middle of an 18-match unbeaten run, while they had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 earlier matchups with the Irish.
Looking back at that week nine years on, hooker Codie Taylor this week acknowledged the All Blacks got "swept away" in the excitement created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.
On the other side, the team knuckled down and set about breaking their own century-long hoodoo.
The final outcome was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of attempting, a day that changed the trajectory of Irish rugby and fueled an fierce and compelling competition between the sides.
While 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 scoff at those who view them as a waning team.
Coach's Mission
Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator 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 come back to his day job after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by assertions that he manages an ageing and not fully ready Irish squad approaching an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.
Nevertheless, there is no doubting that Ireland are at an interesting juncture two years out from the World Cup in Australia.
In Farrell's time away, they surrendered 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 fallout from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game to their name this season.
Ireland's training have not been helped by fitness concerns to crucial team members, too, with first-choice players Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.
Crowley Back at 10
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 scrutinised his players over the past 10 days, he has chosen to fill his team with form players.
Jack Crowley, who lost the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is reinstated on the back of a excellent opening to the season with Munster, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy O'Brien are merited selections at inside centre and right wing.
In the forwards, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance to prove he can be a established loose forward.
Farrell has also signaled his more experienced players of the youth coming through by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.
Earlier this week, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his consideration 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 taste the highest level.
Leadership Role
With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering 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 led the Lions against Western Force in June, coming out on top in both contests.
Sheehan said the current group matching the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of achievements.
"That historic win, we've discussed it a bit, that was a bit of a defining experience for every Irish sports fan," he said.
"Huge recollections, everyone has a remembrance 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 enthusiastic to almost share in that day in 2016 and for the second meeting."
NZ Targeting Three in a Row
New Zealand are targeting a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after edging an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before claiming a merited 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.
The All Blacks are undoubtedly 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 finished second to South Africa in the Rugby Championship over the past two years and, while head coach Scott Robertson has his detractors, they remain a devastating counter-attacking team packed with 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 brilliant against Ireland in the past.
And in Will Jordan the All Blacks boast one of the game's most effective finishers. The 27-year-old usually performs against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries scored against Farrell's side.
Major Implications
Ireland have a statement to make. New Zealand have a famous defeat to avenge.
With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no bad time to build anticipation in rugby, and this American reunion between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the right ingredients.
Ireland will definitely not be lacking in support, with emerald shirts visible all over downtown Chicago on Friday night.
Their appearance at Soldier Field will evoke 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 return engagement remains to be seen.
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.
