Ray Wright, of Dunedin, was baggage manager for the Otago NPC and Highlanders teams from 1990-2005 and he was asked by the NZRU to take on the role for the Irish team.
"I thought it was a great chance and, by Jove, I'll take it."
Wright will help the players with their luggage and set up their gear for training sessions.
While his contract with the NZRU did not permit him to talk about the Irish preparations for the test, he said very little Guinness was being consumed.
He was keeping up with some school duties, one of which was sending a letter of congratulations to each pupil on their birthday.
Many of the Irish players had ribbed him about the stack of envelopes he carried with him, until they found out why, he said.
"I've wagged four days - but it's worth it. If you love rugby like I do, you never turn down a chance to work with an international team."
