Wichtig » pass rush has started strong with four sacks each in the firs

Chicago is the centre of the sporting universe this week, only the All Blacks and Ireland have nothing to do with it. The Windy City is basking in the drought-breaking glory of the Chicago Cubs who, after a 108-year wait, are finally World Series champions. The party is unlikely to subside for some time, but Chicagoans who do turn their minds to other things will be wise to embrace rugby as they have a chance to see one of the truly great sporting teams in action on Saturday.After setting a world record for consecutive Tier One wins, the All Blacks have set their sights on finishing the year unbeaten. Having romped through the Rugby Championship, disposing of Australia, Argentina and South Africa with ease, and Wales 3-0 before that, a four-Test tour in the northern hemisphere will seemingly hold few fears. Still, Australia troubled New Zealand just enough in Bledisloe III to show the All Blacks may be the slightest bit vulnerable -- providing you can play for the entire 80 minutes.And that will be the challenge for Ireland. Playing their first Test since a 2-1 series loss in South Africa, Joe Schmidts side will likely be a tad rusty. That is forgivable to a point, but New Zealand, given their expertise on turnover ball, wont be anywhere near as gracious.Team newsNew ZealandHaving experienced a wretched injury toll at lock, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will blood an all-Blues second-row pairing in Jerome Kaino and Patrick Tuipolutu. Kainos shift from No. 6 means there is a just a second Test start for Liam Squire while a fit-again Sam Cane has replaced Matt Todd at No. 7. Aaron Smith returns at half-back after missing back-to-back Tests due to indiscriminate use of a disabled toilet, while George Moala and Waisake Naholo have also been awarded starts at outside centre and right wing respectively.Ben Smith, Waiseke Naholo, George Moala, Ryan Crotty, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Owen Franks, Patrick Tuipulotu, Jerome Kaino, Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Kieran Read (captain).Replacements: Codie Taylor, Ofa Tuungafasi, Charlie Faumuina, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden, Malakai Fekitoa.IrelandJoe Schmidt has named an impressive line-up with veteran Rob Kearney getting the nod at full-back. That selection means Jared Payne will start from outside centre in a backline that features familiar faces Jonny Sexton, Conor Murray, Simon Zebo and Andrew Trimble. The pack also boasts plenty of experience with captain Rory Best and No. 8 Jamie Heaslip leading the charge.Rob Kearney, Andrew Trimble, Jared Payne, Robbie Henshaw, Simon Zebo, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Jack McGrath, Rory Best (captain), Tadhg Furlong, Donnacha Ryan, Devin Toner, CJ Stander, Jordi Murphy, Jamie Heaslip.Replacements:Sean Cronin, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, Ultan Dillane, Josh van der Flier, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Garry Ringrose.Key matchup: Beauden Barrett vs Jonny SextonWhat in the world happened to Barrett in Auckland a fortnight ago? While his inaccurate goal-kicking came as little surprise, Barretts lack of timing and poor execution of fly-half play was unlike anything weve seen from him this season. Rather than condemn Barrett -- a fancy for World Rugby Player of the Year despite his Auckland shocker -- to the pine, Hansen has decided that performance was an aberration and backed Barrett to regain control of the All Blacks juggernaut. If Barrett can rediscover the form he has shown in just about every other match hes played this year, Ireland could well be in for a long night.Sexton doesnt possess the same attacking brilliance or the turn of speed as Barrett, but he is arguably more adept at steering a Test side around the paddock given his 64 Test caps. He knows what it takes to win the big games, too, as evidenced by his efforts in the British & Irish Lions 2-1 series win in Australia and Irelands back-to-back Six Nations triumphs of 2014 and 2015. Sexton will likely go to the air with regularity early, but he must take the line on himself as the match progresses - an area where the Wallabies Bernard Foley enjoyed success a fortnight ago.Key stats- Ireland have never beaten New Zealand, with their most recent encounter in 2013 ending in heartbreak after Aaron Cruden was allowed to retake a match-winning conversion after an 82nd-minute try.- Julian Savea will bring up his 50th Test cap; he has scored 45 tries to date.- This is just the second time Ireland and New Zealand have met on neutral ground, the first coming at Rugby World Cup 1995 when the All Blacks triumphed 43-19.WeatherChicago is set for a clear, sunny day throughout Saturday, with the temperature set to hover around a cool 12 degrees (Celsius) come kick-off.What they said:I listened to Joe (Maddon), the Chicago coach saying that curses and such things arent what make sport, its actually the process of getting across the line that makes it. So, I know that this Irish side is a good team, last time we played them they should have won and theyve only gotten better since then. - New Zealand coach Steve Hansen.Its really exciting, there was quite a buzz on the flight over. We were out getting coffee and met come Cubs fans, and Bears Fans, they were asking are we the Irish team, and they know about the game. Were expecting a huge crowd, a lot of Irish here and a huge sports town. All the guys are excited to play in such a cool city, and hopefully they come out in numbers and make a lot of noise to aid us. - Ireland half-back Conor Murray.VerdictIreland are capable of ruining New Zealands season of perfection, but that challenge will come when the two sides meet in Dublin in a few weeks time. Put simply, the Irish wont have had enough time together to trouble an All Blacks side that has been humming all year. No-one has got within 14 points of the world champions this season, and Ireland wont improve on that margin in Chicago this weekend. The Cubbies may have ended a 108-year wait for World Series glory this week, but this Test wont follow that same drought-breaking script.New Zealand by 17.Cheap Jerseys From China . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Wholesale Custom Jerseys . -- Mike Smith never saw his first NHL goal go in. https://www.wholesalejerseys2020.com/ . Perhaps Carroll was so prepared for a break because he believes there is very little the Seattle Seahawks need heading into the off-season. "I dont see anything that we need to add. We just have to get better," Carroll said. Wholesale Stitched Jerseys . In the response filed Wednesday to the complaint by 30-year-old Alexander Bradley, attorneys say the former University of Florida player is invoking his Fifth Amendment right that protects people from incriminating themselves. China Jerseys . Fernandez, coached in Toronto by former two-time Olympic silver medallist Brian Orser, scored 267.11 points and is the first champion to successfully defend since Russias Evgeny Plushenko in 2005 and 2006.LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The 10th-ranked Louisville Cardinals insist theyre preparing for No. 2 Florida State like any other opponent. That doesnt mean theyre downplaying the importance of their biggest test to date.Louisville (2-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) hosts the Seminoles (2-0, 0-0) on Saturday in one of the programs biggest games. More challenges remain for both schools -- including games against defending ACC champion and preseason favorite No. 5 Clemson -- but the winner of this nationally televised showdown can take a major step in the Atlantic Division.We knew that if we were going to make a run in this conference or get to the goal that we want, we had to find a way to beat them, Louisville coach Bobby Petrino said. We are looking forward to the matchup.Adding more intrigue are two dynamic quarterbacks who have shown they can dominate games.Louisville dual-threat sophomore Lamar Jackson has shown he can win with his arm and legs with 1,015 yards and 13 touchdowns (seven passing) in the nations top offense (754 yards per game). Hes coming off an ACC-record 610-yard offensive performance at Syracuse that included a highlight-reel leap over a defender for a TD along with 72-yard scores running and passing.FSU running back Dalvin Cook saw Jacksons skills in high school in Florida and said, He got better as a passer. Louisville did a great job developing him as a passer.Florida States offense is just as explosive (509 yards) and features redshirt freshman Deondre Francois, who has passed for 681 yards and five TDs. Francois 419 yards passing and two scores helped the Seminoles erase a 28-6 first quarter deficit with 33 unanswered points that beat then-No. 11 Mississippi 45-34 on Labor Day.Neither marquee games nor comebacks are new for FSU, especially in recent meetings against Louisville. The Seminoles have beaten the Cardinals with second-half rallies the past two years, and another competitive meeting seems likely on Saturday with a lot at stake for both teams.We have to bring our A game to play, FSU coach Jimbo Fisher said. (This will) be another great test and challenge early in our season. ... Were looking forward to the challenge in going up there.----Some other things to watch as Florida State visits Louisvillle:PROTECT AND SUPPORT: Jacksons running has overshadowed performances by other Louisville rushers who figure to contribute in multiple ways against FSU.dddddddddddd Brandon Radcliff had a career-best 156 yards rushing at Syracuse with a 48-yard TD run on 10 carries, while Jeremy Smith and L.J. Scott have turned swing passes out of the backfield into TDs. Not only do they provide additional targets for Jackson, they can also block. Theres going to be more of us involved in the pass protection game, Radcliff said, but thats nothing new for us.ELIMINATE BIG PLAYS: Florida State has already allowed 11 pass plays of 20 yards or more. Safety Derwin James is out for an extended period after having surgery to repair a torn meniscus. Senior Nate Andrews, who missed the first two games due to a calf injury, is likely to return this week and would move into James spot. Sophomore corners Tavarus McFadden and Marcus Lewis are expected to get challenged early.RACKING UP SACKS: Louisvilles pass rush has started strong with four sacks each in the first two games. Seven Cardinals have at least half a sack with junior linebacker James Hearns 2.5 leading the way. Louisville is tied for ninth nationally.SPECIAL DIVIDENDS: Florida States special teams have exceeded expectations early. Freshman kicker Ricky Aguayo has made all seven field goal attempts while punter Logan Tyler leads the ACC at 46.8 yards per punt. The return game has also been solid with Jesus Wilson returning a punt 89 yards last week. It was FSUs first punt return TD since 2012.ALI TRIBUTE: The Cardinals will wear special red chrome helmets featuring butterfly stickers honoring late heavyweight champ and Louisville native Muhammad Ali, who died in June at age 74. A 30-foot painting of the same design will be displayed in the northwest corner of the end zone, and several presentations are planned. Alis wife Lonnie and son Asaad will attend the game.----Follow Gary B. Graves on Twitter: www.twitter.com/GaryBGraves----AP College Football: http://collegefootball.ap.org----AP Sports Writer Joe Reedy in Tallahassee, Florida, contributed to this report. ' ' '