Simon Easterby was speaking to the media in Japan this morning.
Ireland forwards coach Simon Easterby believes the suspended Bundee Aki can still have a 'massive' influence on their preparations for Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.
The Connacht centre has been hit with a three-week ban following his red card in last weekend's victory against Samoa and the I-R-F-U are still deciding whether to appeal.
Easterby says Aki is continuing to train with the squad and is providing insider information on the nation of his birth:
He also praised Athlone's Robbie Henshaw on his attention to detail during his recovery from injury:
Casey O'Gorman To Race In Final Rounds Of Moto3 Championship
Offaly To Begin Leinster Championship At Home To Dublin
Buccaneers Lose At Home To Navan In AIL
Portlaoise Panthers Keep Up Unbeaten Start In Division One
Leinster Championship Is Wide Open - Chris Conway
Milltown Miss Out On Provincial Final Appearance
Birr Suffer Semi-Final Defeat In Leinster Camogie Championship
Portlaoise Panthers Suffer Defeat In Women's Super League
Portarlington Seal Quarter Final Spot In Leinster Championship
Buccaneers Searching For Back To Back AIL Wins
Leinster Final Place On The Line For Birr
Portarlington Begin Leinster Journey Away To Carlow Champions
Provincial Final The Goal For Milltown
Portlaoise Panthers Face Tough Test Away In Limerick
Laois Author Recounts First Meeting With F1 Legend Eddie Jordan
Offaly GAA Calls For End To Allianz Sponsorship
Social Finance Boosts Westmeath Boat Club
AIL Changes Make Sense - Darin Claasen
Returning To Winning Ways The Goal For Portlaoise Panthers
Five Athlone Town Players Named In Team Of The Season