While he couldn't remember where he saw the game, he hadn't forgotten the aftermath of the loss.
"I remember the [TV] cameras showing just how gutted the All Blacks were. You could see it in their faces. We don't want to have a repeat of that.
"A lot has been made of 2016, but there's also been a lot happened since. It's five and five in the last 10 [Tests], so there has been a lot of back and forth."
Playing the game in Chicago and preparing in different circumstances had not been an issue. The All Blacks had arrived early enough to shake jetlag and had started their preparation in their usual way.
"We've huge respect for Ireland. They've been a great team for several years now. It's going to be a great battle and one we're looking forward to, to kick off our Northern tour."
Ireland's ability was spread across the field, but to play at their best, the All Blacks needed their set piece to be right.
Parker said he couldn't imagine at the start of 2025 that he would be a part of the All Blacks by season's end.
"Test rugby's is intense. Super Rugby is still physical, but when you match that with speed and Test rugby, it's a different beast. I've been loving my time in the environment and am excited to go, hopefully, again."
Assistant coach Tamati Ellison said Ireland in recent years have been playing 'a beautiful brand of rugby,' but last year the All Blacks overcame that by playing with good discipline against them.
"We were clear on our plan defensively and the boys trusted that. Our discipline was a big part last year."
A lot has changed in Ireland's rugby since the occasion when Ellison played in a Test in 2012, when the All Blacks posted 60 unanswered points against them.
"That might have been one of Sam Cane's first games. They've definitely grown. They were world-leading in some of the attacking shape and a lot of teams have copied that."
Ellison said he enjoyed how Ireland developed the short pass game.
"There was a period in New Zealand that the long, flat balls, and playing on top of teams [was the norm], but as defences came higher on the edge, being able to draw people off their line, it was a throwback to times gone by with the shorter passing. Ireland brought that back and people have copied that in recent years."
Being in Chicago was not all about reversing the result of their historic first-time loss to Ireland in 2016. They had to look to their performance first, while also acknowledging Ireland's recent record demanded respect.
As a sporting hub, Chicago is also a reminder of how American sport is run and of the role entertainment plays in it.
"It's something we could take a leaf from in New Zealand."
Ellison said his former coaching mate, Andrew Goodman, from the Crusaders, will have done his homework for Ireland on the All Blacks.
"He'll have some specials in some areas where he feels there's weakness. We've got to make sure our structures are strong."
