Rugby: Sibling scuppers Ioane's season

Digby Ioane. Photo / Getty Images

The Wallabies have suffered an injury setback ahead of Saturday's opening Bledisloe Cup rugby test against New Zealand in Melbourne after utility back Digby Ioane's season was ended when he tackled his older brother in a backyard fitness test.

Ioane had hoped to be available for Australia's second Tri-Nations assignment - and the first of four trans-Tasman internationals this year - but instead faces surgery in Brisbane and at least six months of rehabilitation.

The hard-hitting 25-year-old was using his sibling Jay as a "tackle bag" in a bid to prove his fitness after injuring the shoulder in the second test against England on June 19.

Unfortunately the fragile joint - which needed reconstruction surgery last year - dislocated again.

"I'm shattered. I went to make the tackle and it just popped out again, I guess there's always a risk with it," Ioane said.

"I was hoping for big things against the All Blacks but better it happen like this than against Ma'a Nonu in a test.

"It's sad it has gone this way but I'll come back stronger and faster for World Cup year."

Ioane, who played the first of his 11 tests in 2007, sympathised with his brother.

"I feel sorry for Jay. He was worried about telling Dad but it had nothing to do with anything he did in the tackle."

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans had been keen to utilise Ioane's ball-carrying strength against the All Blacks.

"It's a big blow for him, and us," Deans said.

"It was a fairly innocuous defensive drill and despite the scans showing no new damage it's more complex than that."

Ioane's demise means NSW Waratahs centre Rob Horne, who was solid during the Wallabies 30-13 defeat of South Africa in Brisbane last night, should retain his place in midfield while Drew Mitchell and James O'Connor remain on the wings.

Ioane was looking forward to being involved at the test at Etihad Stadium given he was brought up in Melbourne after being born in New Zealand.

He was living there when the All Blacks first played in the city in 1997 but missed out on attending because the match his then under-12s side were not supplied with enough tickets.

- NZPA