Ioane is back in business

Tackle-busting Wallaby wing Digby Ioane is almost certain to be selected for Australia against South Africa in the quarter-finals after recovering from a broken thumb.

Ioane, who suffered the injury in the opening Pool C against Italy on 11 September, had surgery on his hand and had now sufficiently recovered to play, according to Wallaby coaching co-ordinator David Nucifora.

"He's fine to go, he'll be training with us (during the week), so I don't think there's any more boxes he has to tick. He'll be right," Nucifora said.

Australia play South Africa in the knockout match at Wellington Regional Stadium on Sunday, 9 October, but Wallaby captain James Horwill said there will be no need to ease Ioane back into the fray.

"He's one of those guys that whenever the opportunity arises, he's good to go," Horwill said, having witnessed Ioane's recuperative powers first-hand at the Queensland Reds, where the winger's all-or-nothing approach has sidelined him several times, only for him to be back in action again faster than most.

Well-prepared

"He doesn't need any warm-ups (preparatory matches) or anything like that," Horwill said.

"He prepares himself well enough - when he is unfortunately injured - to hit the ground running when the time arises."

Australia will need Ioane fit after losing wing Drew Mitchell, who has returneome with a hamstring injury.

Replacement wing Lachie Turner arrived in Wellington on Monday with forward Matt Hodgson, who replaces Wycliff Palu (hamstring).

Nucifora said other than Mitchell's loss, the Wallabies were in "pretty good shape".

"We've come through the match (against Russia) pretty well and we've got the majority of our other players, bar (centre) Rob Horne, available for selection this week."