Michael Cheika has admitted he is unlikely to unleash Australia’s latest rugby league convert against Wales.
The Wallabies coach included Marika Koroibete in his 32-man tour squad for Europe even though the Fijian-born wing has yet to play a senior game of rugby union.
The decision has sparked criticism in Australia, but Cheika has hinted that Koroibete is an outside bet to face Wales in Cardiff in next week.
Chieka said: “The fact of the matter is I am not cheapening the jersey because he hasn’t got one yet.
“No-one’s getting a jersey for free, no-one has and no-one will.
“I think he’s obviously a talent who can contribute for us and make an impact further down the road, definitely.”
Koroibete, 24, will start playing for Super Rugby franchise Melbourne Rebels next year, after two seasons with NRL club Melbourne Storm.
However, he is not expected to debut in the November-December Tests against Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and England.
But Cheika hinted he was likely to take part in the midweek fixture against a French Barbarians team in late November.
He added: “It’ll give me an opportunity to coach him a little bit first before he goes back to play Super Rugby, and I think that’s a perfectly logical thing to do.
“He’s grown up playing rugby, it’s not like he doesn’t know the game. I’m not going to be giving him another jersey just for the sake of it.”
Koroibete was named in Cheika’s squad for the season-ending tour, having just completed his fifth season in Australia’s NRL.
His surprise call-up came at the expense of Queensland back Luke Morahan.
The Aussies are currently suffering their worst run of form since 1958, with just three victories in their 10 Tests so far this year.
Their 37-10 defeat to New Zealand last week was their fifth in a row to the All Blacks since last year, but Cheika insists the next game against Wales is now their focus.
“The New Zealand series has been well and truly concluded and we got well and truly beaten,” he said.
“The only thing regarding that is for me to get my team playing better for the next time that opportunity comes.”
