Autumn Nations Series: Irish vs All Blacks
Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago Fixture: Saturday, 1 November Kick-off: 20:10 GMT
As they return to the location of one of their historic wins, Ireland stand with a mission to accomplish.
Nine years ago, they were mostly dismissed before confronting the All Blacks in a major Windy City clash at Soldier Field.
It was hardly surprising. New Zealand were world champions and in the midst of an 18-match unbeaten run, while they maintained 27 victories and a draw from 28 prior encounters with the Irish.
Looking back at that week almost a decade later, hooker Codie Taylor this week acknowledged the All Blacks got "distracted" in the hubbub created by the Chicago Cubs' first baseball World Series win in 108 years.
Meanwhile, the team knuckled down and set about overcoming their own generational curse.
The end result was a first win over the All Blacks after 111 years of trying, a day that changed the path of Irish rugby and sparked an fierce and compelling contest between the sides.
Although beating the All Blacks this weekend would not be as earth-shattering as it was in 2016, it would be the ideal manner 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 head coach, not least the 2022 series triumph on New Zealand soil that intensified to a burgeoning rivalry.
But, having come back to his primary role after his sabbatical with the British and Irish Lions, Farrell has been annoyed by assertions that he leads an ageing and underprepared 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 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 consequences from which has left several players with only one United Rugby Championship game under their belt this season.
Ireland's preparations have not been aided by physical setbacks to crucial team members, too, with regular starters Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Mack Hansen among those missing.
Crowley Back at 10
With Ireland's first-choice team 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 scrutinised his players over the past 10 days, he has opted to fill his team with form players.
Jack Crowley, who gave up the fly-half jersey to Sam Prendergast a year ago, is restored 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 consistent flanker option.
Farrell has also indicated his more seasoned athletes of the youth coming through by selecting Paddy McCarthy on the bench.
Recently, Farrell said the 22-year-old prop has been on his watch list 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 removed from his first Leinster start, Farrell clearly thinks he is ready to sample the highest level.
Skipper's Responsibility
With Caelan Doris on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Farrell has given 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, coming out on top in both contests.
Sheehan said the present squad repeating 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 life moment for every Irish sports fan," he said.
"Massive memories, everyone has a memory 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 excited to almost experience that day in 2016 and for the second meeting."
NZ Targeting Three in a Row
New Zealand are targeting a third successive wins over Ireland - after narrowly winning an memorable 2023 World Cup quarter-final in Paris before claiming a earned 23-13 victory in Dublin last year.
The All Blacks are definitely more seasoned 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 come runner-up 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 boasting decisive talent.
Two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett's comeback at fly-half is a significant advantage for Robertson, while Ardie Savea has been brilliant against Ireland in the past.
And in Will Jordan the All Blacks possess one of the game's deadliest finishers. The 27-year-old usually delivers 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 memorable setback to avenge.
With the United States set to host the World Cup in 2031, there is no wrong occasion to generate excitement in rugby, and this US meeting between two of the sport's heavyweights has all the perfect components.
Ireland will certainly not be lacking in support, with green jerseys dotted all over downtown Chicago on Friday night.
Their presence at Soldier Field will recall 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 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.
