Wallabies wing Digby Ioane is having a scan today on an injured thumb after hurting it in the Rugby World Cup opening game.
Ioane, a key part of Australia's dangerous backline, injured his thumb in his side's 32-6 victory over Italy at North Harbour Stadium yesterday.
Ioane, who was not replaced in the match, scored Australia's bonus point try and was one of the main attacking threats in a sometimes disjointed win. However, his thumb swelled up overnight, prompting a trip to hospital.
Wallabies coaching co-ordinator David Nucifora said today: "He is one of our better carriers so he is dominant in that department. He is a player that we like to have on the field and I'd suggest that he's a player that our opponents don't particularly like to play against so he's an important part of what we do.''
With Adam Ashley-Cooper playing solidly on the right wing yesterday, James O'Connor could be a ready-made replacement if Ioane is ruled out of Australia's next match, against Ireland at Eden Park on Friday night.
