Image source, Inpho

Ireland suffered a first home defeat in more than three years as they were beaten by New Zealand in an Autumn Nations Series match that failed to add a latest exciting chapter to one of rugby's greatest rivalries.

Six penalties from New Zealand fly-half Damian McKenzie lifted the All Blacks to their first win on Irish soil since 2016.

McKenzie kicked three penalties to give New Zealand a 9-6 half-time lead, although they lost Jordie Barrett to a yellow card for a high tackle on Garry Ringrose.

With a numerical advantage, Ireland started the second half in style with Josh van der Flier scoring a much-needed try for the hosts.

But Ireland's discipline cost them as McKenzie nailed three more penalties before Will Jordan's try - his 37th in 39 Tests - killed the home side's hopes of exacting revenge for last year's World Cup quarter-final loss.

The teams are going through the final preparations ahead of kick-off in Chicago.

Let us know how you're feeling with 'Get Involved'. Will history repeat itself or is it New Zealand's time?

BBC Sounds

Image source, Inpho

You can listen to tonight's game live on BBC Sounds, Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Radio Ulster.

Presenter Orla Bannon is joined by Paul Marshall and Robbie Diack, while former Ireland back row Chris Henry is on commentary alongside Jim Neilly.

Coverage begins at 20:00 GMT.

A load of the Ireland squad went to a Chicago Bulls NBA game during the week and it looked like the BEST time.

Benny the Bull was causing absolute chaos.

There are rumours he may be a late addition to Andy Farrell's match day 23. Michael Jordan would be a handy man at the line-outs too.

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

One of the most memorable moments from this fixture here nine years ago was the figure of eight made by Ireland in tribute to the late Anthony Foley while they faced the haka.

Speaking on the BBC Rugby Social this week, Rory Best and Conor Murray reminisced about the side's struggles to execute the planned tribute with fingers pointed at Ultan Dillane and Andrew Trimble.

Now that they've mentioned it, things do look a little lopsided!

Image source, Inpho

Rory Best is the first guest on the Ireland Rugby Social podcast.

The former Ireland and Ulster captain joins Conor Murray and Gavin Andrews to talk about all things rugby, and they reflected on the emotion of Ireland's win over New Zealand in 2016 after the passing of the great Anthony Foley.

Murray will also be taking some of your questions in an episode that is being recorded after the game, so send them in using 'Get Involved' at the top of this page.

Check The Ireland Rugby Social out on BBC Sounds!

Image source, Inpho

The game in Chicago nine years ago came with a heartbreaking backdrop after Munster head coach Anthony Foley suddenly passed away weeks before the game.

In honour of Foley, who had coached many of the Irish players, the 23 green jerseys formed the number eight while facing the Haka.

It was one of the most powerful sporting images of the year.

Image source, Inpho

Former Ireland wing Andrew Trimble looks back on their historic win over the All Blacks in Chicago in 2016.

The 40-29 victory ended Ireland's 111-year wait for a win over New Zealand.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist at Soldier Field

Andy Farrell stood on his own in the middle of the field for a good five minutes, watching the All Blacks go through their paces.

Wonder what he took away from it.

He's back among his own players now.

Thoughts on Ireland's pre-match warm-up jersey?

It is meant to be a nod towards the Chicago River after Ireland's win here in 2016.

Image source, Gett

How are your nerves, everyone?

We're edging closer to kick-off in Chicago and you can have your say throughout the game.

Will Ireland make it two from two over the All Blacks in the States? Or will New Zealand get revenge.

Give us your predictions and let us know using 'Get Involved' at the top of the page.

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist in Chicago

Image source, Inpho

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has dismissed talk of his side being "underdone" before tonight's autumn Test opener against the All Blacks in Chicago.

Six players in Farrell's line-up have played just once this season, while number eight Jack Conan will make his first appearance since starting all three Tests for the British and Irish Lions over the summer.

But Farrell, who has returned to the Ireland hotseat after his Lions sabbatical, insists "if you're in a good place mentally, physically the body will follow".

"It's irrelevant," he said while discussing his players' game time in the build-up to Saturday's Soldier Field rematch.

"You guys have talked about the performances of some of the guys in the big game, Leinster v Munster, some of them hit the ground running. They're mentally prepared to give the best of themselves.

"When they turn up for camp, realise what they're representing and what the shirt means, it seems to focus the mind a lot more. You still have to go out and prove it."

Farrell added: "Even if people think we're underdone slightly because of lack of game time, I don't believe that, I don't believe that. These lads are fit, the challenge is for them to be mentally sharp, to be ahead of the game."

And how it looks today as rugby rolls into town....

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

How Soldier Field usually looks for the Chicago Bears in the NFL....

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Both sides on Saturday are able to field former World Rugby players of the year at open-side flanker.

Ardie Savea, who won the award in 2023, was only breaking into the international set-up when this pair met at Soldier Field nine years ago but now is arguably the talismanic figure in the New Zealand squad.

A four-time recipient of the All Blacks' player of the year award, the 32-year-old won his 100th cap during this year's Rugby Championship and both his ball-playing ability and work-rate ensure his status among the game's very best players.

Also 32-years-old, Josh van der Flier was making just his third Ireland appearance in the historic 2016 win.

The Leinster player, who immediately preceded Savea as world player of the year, has featured in 10 straight meetings between the sides with Saturday representing the 11th. Given that the pair also went head-to-head at under-20s level, his rivalry with Savea is now a familiar one.

After the disappointment of missing out on the Test team for the British and Irish Lions, and seeing Leinster's back row bossed by an inspirational Tadhg Beirne against Munster in Croke Park, Ireland will be banking on Van der Flier being at his best back in Chicago.

There's something funny about seeing a rugby player in the wild. I know they are normal humans, but it's just a bit amusing.

Like when you used to see your teacher from school in the city centre or something.

Anyway, here are more photos of Nick Timoney, Josh van der Flier and Finaly Bealham exploring Chicago.

They look like they are trying to recreate a famous Beatles cover, presumably talking about Joe Marler's performance on Celebrity Traitors and then wishing for some magic against the All Blacks.

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist at Soldier Field

The first group of Ireland players to come out for a wee look at the pitch include Test debutant Paddy McCarthy - provided he is sprung from the bench, of course - and captain Dan Sheehan.

Squad skipper Caelan Doris, who starts on the bench, is also out for an early wander, as is Jack Crowley, with ball in hand.

Big day for him.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

It was a close one at Murrayfield as Scotland pinched a narrow 85-0 win over the USA.

Darcy Graham and Jamie Dobie both scored hat-tricks.

I can't imagine this one will be as one sided.

Image source, BBC Sport

The All Blacks have played nine times since Ireland's full strength side lined out in the Six Nations.

They have defeated France, without Antoine Dupont, three times, won and lost against Argentina in the Rugby Championship, defeated Australia twice and only won one and lost one against South Africa.

Maybe not as imperious as they once were, but it is still a very, very strong record.

Jonathan Bradley
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Such has been the start to the season made by Jack Crowley, it did not register as a surprise that the 25-year-old was preferred in the Ireland 10 jersey to face the All Blacks.

The Munster man was the incumbent when this fixture was played in Dublin last year but, come the end of the autumn window, had lost his place to Leinster rival Sam Prendergast.

Prendergast started four of five in the Six Nations and the pair split time across the summer Tests against Georgia and Portugal but Crowley has led the Munster attack well in the opening weeks of the United Rugby Championship season, most notably against Leinster in Croke Park last time out.

In comparison to his confident start to the campaign, Prendergast has struggled in a Leinster side lacking rhythm.

Can Crowley transfer his club form back on to the international stage?

There's also been a change at fly-half for the All Blacks with Beauden Barrett returning.

The two-time World Rugby player of the year is now 34-years-old, and missed out against Australia last time out through injury.

With Richie Mo'unga set to return from Japan in the summer, and Damian McKenzie also having featured in the jersey this year, there is plenty of competition among All Blacks tens too.

At the start of a big autumn, a strong performance in Soldier Field would represent a significant marker for Barrett.