Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago Fixture: Saturday, 1 November Kick-off: 20:10 GMT
As they return to the venue of one of their historic triumphs, Ireland stand with a statement to make.
Nine years ago, they were generally underestimated before facing 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-game winning streak, while they boasted 27 victories and a draw from 28 previous meetings with the Irish.
Considering that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week conceded the All Blacks got "distracted" 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 trying, a day that changed the trajectory of Irish rugby and sparked an fierce and compelling competition between the sides.
While 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 disprove those who view them as a declining power.
Farrell's Challenge
Andy Farrell, defence coach under Joe Schmidt in 2016, has accomplished a great deal as Ireland head coach, not least the 2022 series triumph on New Zealand soil that added more fire to a burgeoning rivalry.
But, having returned to his day job after his break with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been bothered by assertions that he presides over an veteran and undercooked Irish squad approaching an fall series 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 time away, they lost the Six Nations title after a comprehensive and sobering 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 played this season.
Ireland's training have not been assisted by physical setbacks to crucial team members, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those missing.
Number Ten Restored
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 evaluated his players over the past 10 days, he has decided to fill his team with players performing well.
Jack Crowley, who surrendered the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is reinstated on the back of a impressive beginning to the season with Munster, while Stuart McCloskey and Tommy O'Brien are deserved starters at inside centre and right wing.
In the pack, Farrell has given Ryan Baird another chance to prove he can be a regular back-row starter.
Farrell has also signaled his more veteran squad members 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 consideration 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 feels he is ready to experience the top tier.
Captain Sheehan
With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has given 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, winning both games.
Sheehan said the current group repeating the 2016 win would be "among the top" in this squad's list of successes.
"The 2016 achievement, 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 memory of where they were and how special that day was.
"Obviously we've had some big battles 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."
All Blacks Seeking Hat-trick
New Zealand are targeting a hat-trick of wins over Ireland - after edging an epic 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before achieving a deserved 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.
The All Blacks are definitely more experienced 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 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 powerful counter-attacking team boasting decisive talent.
Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's return at fly-half is a considerable boost for Robertson, while Ardie Savea has been brilliant 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.
Everything to Play For
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 wrong occasion to generate excitement in rugby, and this American reunion between two of the sport's heavyweights has all the right ingredients.
Ireland will definitely not be lacking in support, with emerald shirts 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 drive Ireland over the line then. Whether it proves decisive in Chicago for the repeat performance will be discovered.
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.
