Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago Date: Saturday, 1 November Start time: 20:10 GMT
As they return to the location of one of their most famous triumphs, Ireland stand with a statement to make.
Back in 2016, they were generally underestimated before confronting 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 had achieved 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.
Looking back at that week almost a decade later, 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 concentrated fully and set about breaking their own century-long hoodoo.
The final outcome was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that transformed the direction of Irish rugby and ignited an fierce and compelling competition 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 waning team.
Leadership Test
Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has accomplished a great deal as Ireland head coach, not least the 2022 series success on New Zealand soil that intensified to a growing rivalry.
But, having come back to his day job after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by suggestions that he manages an veteran and undercooked Irish squad entering an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.
Nevertheless, there is no doubting that Ireland are at an pivotal moment two years out from the World Cup in Australia.
In Farrell's absence, they surrendered the Six Nations title after a comprehensive and reality-check home defeat by France.
Farrell brought a record Irish contingent on the Lions tour, the fallout from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game played this season.
Ireland's training have not been aided by physical setbacks to key players, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.
Number Ten Restored
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 assessed 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 restored on the back of a impressive beginning 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 opportunity to prove he can be a regular back-row starter.
Farrell has also indicated his more veteran squad members of the emerging talent by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.
Recently, 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 thinks he is ready to sample the elite competition.
Captain Sheehan
With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering 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 led the Lions against Western Force in June, winning both games.
Sheehan said the current group repeating the 2016 win would be "right up there" in this squad's list of successes.
"That 2016 moment, we've discussed 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.
"Obviously we've had some major contests against New Zealand over the years since then, so I think everyone's pretty excited to almost share in that day in 2016 and for the second meeting."
NZ Targeting Three in a Row
New Zealand are aiming for a third successive wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an unforgettable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a deserved 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 meaning 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 critics, they remain a lethal counter-attacking team packed with match-winning talent.
Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's comeback 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 possess 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.
Everything to Play For
Ireland have a reputation to defend. New Zealand have a famous defeat to rectify.
Given the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no bad time to generate excitement 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 emerald shirts present all over the city center on Friday night.
Their presence at Soldier Field will recall memories of that Paris quarter-final. It was not enough to drive Ireland over the line then. Whether it proves decisive in Chicago for the return engagement will be discovered.
Starting XVs
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.
