SYDNEY - Coach Michael Cheika opted Friday for uncapped Adam Coleman over the experience of Dean Mumm among his reserves in the Wallabies' fight to stave off a Test series whitewash by England.
Australian Wallabies' Adam Coleman (centre) trains with teammates during the captain's run in Sydney, on June 24, 2016.
After defeats in the first two Tests, Australia are battling to avoid a humiliating 3-0 series loss to England in Saturday's final Test in Sydney.
Cheika surprised in finalising his replacements by preferring Western Force lock Coleman over the 46-capped Mumm, 32, and a five-three forwards-backs split on the bench.
It's been a rapid rise for 24-year-old Coleman, who was part of the initial Wallabies' 39-man extended training squad before the series.
"We felt like he needed some work on his fitness and he's run hard and he's trained hard," Cheika told reporters.
"He's really impressed on the training paddock.
"Probably at the start of the week he wasn't in that position and over the training days he's pushed himself into that position.
"If he's given the opportunity to play on Saturday, I know he'll do himself proud."
Cheika kept powerful Fijian-born winger Taqele Naiyaravoro among the replacements offering him the chance to play a Test after making his debut against the United States in Chicago last year.
On that occasion Naiyaravoro scored a try with his first touch of the ball.
Wycliff Palu also kept his place on the bench after injury forced him home early from last year's World Cup in England.
Australia (15-1) - Israel Folau; Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Toomua, Rob Horne; Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Sean McMahon, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy; Rob Simmons, Will Skelton; Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (capt), James Slipper
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio, Greg Holmes, Adam Coleman, Wycliff Palu, Nick Frisby, Christian Leali'ifano, Taqele Naiyaravoro.