The Wallabies have not lost hope of match winning winger Digby Ioane returning from a serious hand injury in time for the quarter-finals.

Ioane has been tagged as the most dangerous winger amongst the 20 teams, and was being treated as one of the Wallabies most invaluable assets.

Without him, the Wallabies do lose a considerable amount of their attacking edge.

This is after scans revealed that he had a fractured thumb.

The original assumption was he would have to return to Brisbane and miss the rest of the Rugby World Cup, but late yesterday Australian team officials provided some hope that he may play again in the tournament.

At this stage a replacement from Australia has not been called for.

Australia will play Ireland at 8.30pm this Saturday.


Story by: Dreu Vukailagi and Dhanjay Deo