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: