Wallaby Ioane out with fractured thumb

Australia's Wallabies fly-half Digby Ioane (R) escapes with the ball to score a try in front of Italy's fly-half Luciano Orquera (C) during the 2011 Rugby World Cup pool C match Australia vs Italy at the North Harbour stadium in Auckland on September 11, 2011. AFP PHOTO / FRANCK FIFE (Photo credit should read FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

Ioane scored a try against Italy before the injury

Scans today in Auckland have confirmed that Wallabies winger Digby Ioane has sustained a fracture to his right thumb.

Ioane suffered the injury during yesterday’s 32-6 win over Italy in Australia’s opening match of the Rugby World Cup.

The injury occurred with approximately 20 minutes of play remaining when the Australian winger accidentally came into contact with the boot of his Italian counterpart, Mirco Bergamasco, as he attempted to cover a grubber kicked in behind the Australian line.

As Ioane tried to scoop up the ball, his thumb was struck by the boot of Bergamasco, who was attempting to toe the ball further down-field.

Ioane will be operated on and will remain with the Wallabies in New Zealand.

He is expected to be available to play again later in the tournament although the exact timelines on when he might be able to return will not be known until after the joint has been operated on, and his rehabilitation from the injury has begun