Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v New Zealand
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago Date: Saturday, 1 November Start time: 20:10 GMT
Coming back to the venue of one of their iconic triumphs, Ireland stand with a mission to accomplish.
Back in 2016, they were mostly dismissed before facing the All Blacks in a Chicago blockbuster at Soldier Field.
It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were world champions and in the middle of an 18 consecutive victories, while they maintained 27 victories and a draw from 28 prior encounters with the Irish.
Considering that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week admitted the All Blacks got "caught up" in the hubbub created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.
On the other side, the team knuckled down and set about overcoming their own generational curse.
The culmination 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 intense and captivating rivalry between the sides.
Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as transformative as it was in 2016, it would be the optimal approach for Ireland to challenge those who view them as a declining power.
Farrell's Challenge
Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has secured a great deal as Ireland manager, not least the 2022 series triumph on New Zealand soil that intensified to a developing rivalry.
But, having come back to his primary role after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by claims that he presides over an veteran and underprepared Irish squad heading into an autumn campaign that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.
Nevertheless, there is no questioning that Ireland are at an pivotal moment two years out from the World Cup in Australia.
In Farrell's time away, they surrendered the Six Nations title after a thumping and humbling home defeat by France.
Farrell brought a largest-ever Irish representation on the Lions tour, the fallout 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 fitness concerns to key players, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those unavailable.
Fly-Half Returns
Given Ireland's frontline side 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 assessed his players over the past 10 days, he has chosen to fill his team with in-form athletes.
Jack Crowley, who lost the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is returned on the back of a strong start to the season with Munster, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy O'Brien are deserved starters at inside centre and right wing.
In the forwards, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance to prove he can be a consistent flanker option.
Farrell has also signaled his more seasoned athletes 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 watch list 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 since his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly believes he is ready to experience the top tier.
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 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 present squad matching the 2016 win would be "highly significant" in this squad's list of successes.
"The 2016 achievement, we've mentioned 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 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 experience that day in 2016 and for the rematch."
All Blacks Seeking Hat-trick
New Zealand are targeting a third successive wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a deserved 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.
The All Blacks are certainly 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 placed 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 devastating counter-attacking team packed with decisive 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 have one of the game's deadliest finishers. The 27-year-old usually excels against Ireland, too, with five of his 43 Test tries registered versus Farrell's side.
Stakes High
Ireland have a point to prove. New Zealand have a famous defeat to rectify.
With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no bad time to drum up interest in rugby, and this Stateside clash between two of the sport's top teams has all the necessary elements.
Ireland will certainly not be lacking in support, with emerald shirts dotted 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 does the trick in Chicago for the second time remains to be seen.
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.
