Irish Daily Mail

Plenty at stake in Chicago despite All Blacks’ absence

- By RORY KEANE

ON the 17th floor of Trump Internatio­nal Hotel and Tower in Chicago, Rory Best had just finished his press duties in the Grand Salon suite and was heading back to the safety of Ireland’s team room across the hall.

Down below, the city streets were packed with millions of natives as the Chicago Cubs’ victory parade weaved its way across packed streets against the backdrop of Lake Michigan.

That was Friday, October 4, 2016. The Cubs had ended a 108-year wait for a World Series title and Chicago had come to a standstill. Less than 24 hours later, Best would lead Ireland to a maiden win over the All Blacks in 111 years.

‘I’d love to believe in omens, but I don’t. I’m not superstiti­ous at all,’ said Joe Schmidt in the build-up to that game. Even the most cynical of observers would admit there was something special about that week. Before the epic scenes at Soldier Field, there was the little matter of a match preview to be written by the small group of Irish journalist­s who had made their way across the Atlantic.

The Grand Salon suite had become a makeshift press room but the polite staff informed us that an impending function meant we would need to make alternativ­e arrangemen­ts.

After UN-levels of negotiatio­n, a compromise was made. The reporters were told they could use ‘The Boardroom’ next door. ‘Just don’t tell the boss,’ quipped one member of the hotel staff.

The boss in question was Donald Trump, the Republican Party’s Presidenti­al nominee. Trump would win the White House the following Tuesday. Another shock result.

Yesterday, Schmidt and his Ireland squad arrived back at Chicago’s O’Hare Internatio­nal Airport on their chartered flight from Dublin. Sequels rarely live up to the originals and this week was always going to struggle to match the incredible scenes of 2016.

Firstly, the All Blacks are nowhere to be seen. The Kiwis were offered the chance of a rematch against Ireland back at Soldier Field last November, but that idea was shot down at an New Zealand Rugby board meeting. The Kiwi top brass, instead, opted for a big payday at Twickenham against the Barbarians to open their November tour last year.

It is understood that a Soldier Field showdown was floated to the respective parties again this year but, understand­ably, New Zealand declined. Steve Hansen’s men are currently in Japan preparing for a game against the hosts at Ajinomoto Stadium on Saturday, having dispatched the Wallabies last weekend in Yokohama — the venue for next year’s World Cup final.

The IRFU are in for a significan­t boost to the coffers regardless of their callow opposition this weekend. The union stand to receive €1million from TLA Worldwide, the promoters of this weekend’s event.

Make no mistake, Italy were never Ireland’s first choice for this fixture in the States, but Schmidt can still reap plenty of benefits from a week abroad.

Italy’s Conor O’Shea set his stall out by naming a largely secondstri­ng selection 10 days before

The Italy game can be another part of Schmidt’s master plan

kick-off. There are some notable omissions, the all-star backrow of Seb Negri, Jake Polledri and Sergio Parisse are just some of the top performers who will remain at home. The Azzurri have a difficult autumn schedule ahead with Georgia, Australia and New Zealand paying visits to Rome this November. Like Schmidt, O’Shea will look to test some of his fringe players against an equally experiment­al, but formidable Ireland side.

On the surface this game has the distinct feeling of a cash grab about it, but it can be another vital part of Schmidt’s master plan. The Kiwi was Warren Gatland’s first choice be the British and Irish Lions attack coach for the 2017 tour of New Zealand, but he turned down the opportunit­y to lead Ireland’s developmen­t tour of the US and Japan.

That decision proved another masterstro­ke from Schmidt who took the time to work with a clutch of youngsters.

The emergence of Jacob Stockdale, Dan Leavy, James Ryan and Andrew Porter last season was no fluke. That quartet have been on thr head coach’s radar for a long time and returned with their reputation­s very much enhanced.

Ryan, who had not even made a senior appearance­s for Leinster, made his Test debut off the bench against the US Eagles in New Jersey and scored his first try within 60 seconds. Stockdale also crossed the whitewash on his debut that day and has gone on to score 11 tries in as many appearance­s. Porter and Leavy have not looked back since that tour.

This trip can prove another successful week where Ireland’s resources are increased. After that ill-fated World Cup campaign in 2015, Schmidt has blooded 69 players in the last three years. Ross Byrne and Will Addison are set to be the next two cubs off the rank this weekend.

When Ireland’s 42-man squad dropped into inboxes last Wednesday, Addison’s inclusion — although well-flagged — was the most curious selection. The 26year-old has been tracked by Schmidt for quite some time. Ireland’s coach name-checked him at a press conference at Carton House back in 2014 when talking about Ireland-qualified players abroad that were in the mix.

Very much in the mould of Jared Payne, Addison, who played for England at U20 level, is comfortabl­e playing in every position across the three-quarter line.

He was ignored by Eddie Jones despite delivering consistent­ly excellent performanc­es for Sale Sharks, but England’s loss is very much Ireland’s gain and don’t be surprised if Addison is handed his first cap against the Italians. The Cumbria-born midfielder, who qualifies for Ireland through his Fermanagh-born mother, has made just five appearance­s for Ulster since arriving in the summer, but you feel he could play a major role for Ireland over the next 12 months.

That is just one subplot ahead of a fascinatin­g week. Soldier Field 2.0 may feel like a tired remake but there is still plenty at stake.

 ?? INPHO ?? Bound for Chicago: Ireland players (from left) Josh van der Flier, Rhys Ruddock and Jack Conan
INPHO Bound for Chicago: Ireland players (from left) Josh van der Flier, Rhys Ruddock and Jack Conan
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