Michael Cheika has defended his decision to fast-track rugby league convert Marika Koroibete into the Australia squad, ahead of their autumn tour of Europe.
The winger, who was born in Fiji, has never played a professional game in the 15-man code in Australia and his selection has been derided on social media.
He was named in coach Cheika's 32-man squad for the season-ending tour, having just completed his fifth season in Australia's NRL.
His surprise call-up comes at the expense of Queensland back Luke Morahan, sparking criticism from rugby pundits and fans in Australia.
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 mid-week 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."