British Lions 2013: Australia blow as Digby Ioane undergoes knee operation and is now a doubt for first Test The New Zealand-born 27 year-old has scored 11 tries in 34 Tests since his debut against Wales in Brisbane back in 2007, and would have been an almost certain starter against the Lions. Ioane injured the knee joint in Queensland Reds' loss to South African outfit the Cheetahs last weekend and is now "touch and go" for the June 22 Test in Brisbane, according to a tweet on the Wallabies feed. "@digbyioane underwent operation this morning on the articular cartilage in his left knee," it read. Australia coach Robbie Deans named Ioane, who is destined for Stade Francais at the end of year, in his preliminary 25-man squad for the series last Sunday, the most experienced of three specialist wingers alongside Nick Cummins and Joe Tomane. The versatility of Australia's backline players means Adam Ashley-Cooper and James O'Connor are also options on the wing, while uncapped full-back Israel Folau has played out wide in rugby league internationals. Openside flanker David Pocock (knee) and hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau (broken arm) have both been ruled out of the Lions series while George Smith, another openside, is a serious doubt because of a knee injury. Deans will add six more players to his squad on June 11.