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Coleman gets thumbs as Cheika picks team to play England

16th November, 2017
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Adam Coleman of Australia celerbates scoring his sides second try during the Under Armour Series match between Wales and Australia at Principality Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
16th November, 2017
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Wallabies enforcer Adam Coleman has been given the all clear to face England after coming through training unscathed in London.

The giant lock injured his thumb in Australia’s win over Wales last weekend and sat out training in the early part of this week.

Coach Michael Cheika delayed finalising his team until the 26-year-old lineout linchpin had proved his fitness in the final hit-out at the team’s base in Teddington ahead of Saturday’s marquee fixture of the spring tour.

“He is not at 100 per cent. I would be lying if said he was 100 and you know I never lie,” Cheika said.

“I would say he got through today pretty good, better than I thought, and we would not pick him if we did not think he could do his job. He is a tough lad.”

Cheika has resisted the urge to make changes to the starting line-up that beat Wales last week.

Samu Kerevi keeps his spot in the centres with Karmichael Hunt to start on the bench despite playing the final 33 minutes in Cardiff.

“Karmichael had more of a challenge last week, but he and Samu did a nice job between two of them,” Cheika said.

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“Karmichael had been injured a fair bit and had not played a lot of footy before the tour. I am a big fan of his. The more time he gets the better he is going to be.

England coach Eddie Jones has named outstanding young lock forward Maro Itoje on the bench after he sat out the win over Argentina last week.

British and Irish Lions centre Owen Farrell is restored to the side after also being rested for the Pumas clash.

“It’s just looking after the players,” Jones said.

“We want to make sure we look after our players. Part of that is bringing Maro through. He’ll play part of the game this week – he might play a lot of the game this week.

“Just because he’s starting on the bench doesn’t mean he can’t play 79 minutes, there’s no reason why he can’t.

“I wouldn’t presume too much.”

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AUSTRALIA: Kurtley Beale; Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Samu Kerevi, Reece Hodge; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Sean McMahon, Michael Hooper (capt), Ned Hanigan; Rob Simmons; Adam Coleman; Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Scott Sio.

Res: Stephen Moore, Tom Robertson, Allan Alaalatoa, Matt Philip, Ben McCalman, Lopeti Timani, Nick Phipps, Karmichael Hunt, Henry Speight (one to be omitted).

ENGLAND: Anthony Watson; Jonny May, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Elliot Daly; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Nathan Hughes, Sam Underhill, Chris Robshaw; Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury; Mako Vunipola, Dylan Hartley (Capt), Dan Cole.

Res: Jamie George, Joe Marler, Harry Williams, Maro Itoje, Sam Simmonds, Danny Care, Henry Slade, Semesa Rokoduguni.

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