So much for brotherly love.

The Wallabies' most destructive back, Digby Ioane, has joined fellow tackle busters Wycliff Palu and James Horwill on the sidelines for the rest of 2010 after a collision with his brother Jay.

Ioane was being sized up for a start in Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand when he asked Jay to help out in a secret contact session with coach Robbie Deans.

But when Jay landed on the winger's troublesome shoulder - which he dislocated against England in Sydney last month - it popped.

Ioane will meet with his surgeon on Monday as he faces another lengthy rehab from a shoulder reconstruction.

"It's tough on Digby because he got his hopes up," coach Robbie Deans said.

"But he's a tough bloke and a great bloke. He deserves a lot and he will get a lot and in time he will be rewarded."

Ioane's injury is a double blow for the Wallabies after playmaker Quade Cooper was suspended for the upcoming two Bledisloe Cup Tests for his lifting tackle on Morne Steyn at Suncorp Stadium.

Fortunately for Deans, mercurial winger Drew Mitchell rediscovered some lost form in the 30-13 triumph over South Africa and star back Matt Giteau also regained his confidence.

The pair combined for Australia's crucial opening try just before halftime which gave the home side a 17-3 lead after 40 minutes of sustained pressure.

Mitchell, who was initially cut from the Wallabies squad, admitted his 45-Test career may have hinged on latching on to the ball he juggled three times from Giteau's deflected pass.

"A mate of mine said after 'you were probably lucky you did get that one because it could have been a bit dire' if I had have dropped it," he said on Sunday.

"There was a lot riding on that game personally for me, and it was even more so highlighting the defensive issues."

Poor defence in the 21-20 loss to England followed by a nervous display against Ireland put Mitchell's place at risk, but he muscled up, highlighted by a try-saving tackle on Jaque Fourie.

Deans was also well pleased with James O'Connor's all-round display on the right wing.

The diminutive O'Connor dumped skyscraper Victor Matfield in the second half and loomed dangerously in attack but was often ignored by teammates.

As much as they split the Boks defensive line, the Wallabies know their finishing must be far more clinical to overcome the All Blacks.

"There were opportunities but we probably left a few out there," Mitchell said. "It's a good thing in a sense that we are creating those opportunities."

The selectors have yet to name a replacement for Ioane in their squad and may refrain with Queenslander winger Peter Hynes working his way back to fitness and on track to return for the two-Test tour of South Africa next month.

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