Autumn Nations Series: Ireland v New Zealand
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago Fixture: Saturday, 1 November Kick-off: 20:10 GMT
As they return to the location of one of their iconic triumphs, Ireland find themselves with a point to prove.
Back in 2016, they were mostly dismissed before facing 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 midst of an 18-match unbeaten run, while they boasted 27 victories and a draw from 28 earlier matchups with the Irish.
Looking back at that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week acknowledged the All Blacks got "caught up" in the excitement created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.
On the other side, the team concentrated fully and set about overcoming their own 111-year drought.
The culmination was a historic victory over the All Blacks after 111 years of competing, a day that changed the direction of Irish rugby and fueled an passionate and engaging contest between the sides.
Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as transformative as it was in 2016, it would be the ideal manner for Ireland to scoff at those who view them as a waning team.
Farrell's Challenge
Andy Farrell, defensive coordinator under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has achieved a great deal as Ireland manager, not least the 2022 series victory on New Zealand soil that intensified to a growing rivalry.
But, having returned to his primary role after his time away with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been irked by assertions that he manages an older and not fully ready Irish squad heading into an fall series that also includes home matches against Japan, Australia and South Africa.
However, 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 relinquished 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 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 helped by injuries to key players, too, with established performers Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those absent.
Fly-Half Returns
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 opted to fill his team with players performing well.
Jack Crowley, who lost the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is restored on the back of a strong start to the season with Munster, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy O'Brien are merited selections at inside centre and right wing.
In the pack, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another opportunity to prove he can be a consistent flanker option.
Farrell has also signaled his more experienced players of the youth coming through 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 believes he is ready to taste 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 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 present squad matching the 2016 win would be "among the top" in this squad's list of accomplishments.
"That 2016 moment, we've talked about 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 remarkable that day was.
"Clearly we've had some significant clashes 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 rematch."
All Blacks Seeking Hat-trick
New Zealand are targeting a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before securing a merited 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.
The All Blacks are definitely 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 detractors, they remain a lethal counter-attacking team boasting decisive talent.
Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's reappearance at fly-half is a considerable boost for Robertson, while Ardie Savea has been outstanding 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 delivers 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 historic loss to overcome.
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 American reunion between two of the sport's powerhouses has all the perfect components.
Ireland will definitely not be short of support, with Irish colors dotted all over the city center on Friday night.
Their presence 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 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.
