The Wallabies selectors have been forced into a major rethink of their Test backline with dynamic Queenslander Digby Ioane wiped from Tri-Nations reckoning.

The most destructive Australian back of the Super 14, Ioane will be sidelined for 4-6 months after undergoing a shoulder reconstruction on Thursday afternoon.

It's as much a terrible blow to the 23-year-old as the Wallabies plans for the domestic Test season after coach Robbie Deans had pencilled Ioane in as one of the first players picked in his starting team.

The New Zealand-born three-quarter had been so damaging for the battling Reds at outside centre and wing that he had built pressure upon Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock's place in the side.

The pair are seen as Australia's two most effective collision players shown by Super 14 statistics which have Ioane on top of the competition list for tackle busts.

Ioane's injury also takes the heat off incumbent Test wingers Lote Tuqiri and Peter Hynes, and opens the door further to the likes of Drew Mitchell, Lachlan Turner, Cameron Shepherd and Adam Ashley-Cooper who are all in the mix at fullback and wing.

But the lack of a player who boasts both the penetration and finishing ability of the powerful Ioane creates a headache for Deans and fellow selectors Jim Williams and David Nucifora.

A shattered Ioane was initially told he faced a six-month lay-off, ruling him out of the Wallabies' Spring Tour, but he's now setting his sights on making the Grand Slam trip to the UK which follows a trans-Tasman Test in Tokyo on October 31.

His confidence was stirred by former Wallabies fullback Chris Latham's ability to play within four months after undergoing the same operation in 2008 to play with new English club Worcester.

"My injury obviously happened for a reason so I have to accept that and I'll focus on trying to come back in time for the Grand Slam," he said.

"Latho did it in four months, so that's going to be my goal."

Ioane would then need to find favour with Deans, who agreed to the surgery to have him in top shape to start 2010, to pick him without any late-year matches under his belt.

Hynes, who received positive news on his own knee problem this week to be eying a playing return in time for the Wallabies June 6 clash with the Barbarians, is the man with most to gain but was devastated for his Reds teammate.

"He's been tremendous for us at 13, he's been a revelation," said the 2008 Wallabies rookie of the year. "

Hynes met with Deans in Brisbane at the start of the week and was told he remains in his plans despite an injury-affected season.

Ioane initially injured his left shoulder in the Reds' 31-24 loss to the Lions on April 18 but played on before aggravating it against the Brumbies a fortnight ago.

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