Australia are giving full-back Kurtley Beale as long as possible to prove his fitness for Sunday's World Cup semi-final against New Zealand in Auckland.
Beale, who has twice been forced off with a hamstring strain during the tournament, has been named in coach Robbie Deans' starting XV.
However, if he is not fit, Adam Ashley-Cooper will go to full-back and Anthony Fainga'a will start at outside centre.
"We will leave it as long as we can before making a decision," said Deans.
"It will be tough on Kurtley if he has to miss this one, but we will take no chances. If he can't play, he will contribute off the field as he always does.
"He is a great presence in the group, whether he's running or just providing voice.
"He's a big part of the spiritual element of the group, he's very much a source of positive energy.
"Adam and Ant are both good men. They will do a more than capable job in Kurtley's absence."
Each of this weekend's four semi-finalists have a number seven in their side that strike fear deep into opposition hearts
Pat McCabe has recovered from a shoulder injury and will start at inside centre in a side that will be unchanged from their quarter-final victory over South Africa, if Beale, who limped out of that win, is fit.
On the bench, Rob Simmons is selected ahead of veteran lock Nathan Sharpe, who will have to wait to become only the fifth Australian to win 100 Test caps.
"We make the decisions that we believe are going to be best for us and sentiment around the 100 [Tests] doesn't come into consideration," Deans added.
"Rob is athletic and he's got a slightly different skills set to Sharpie and we anticipate a lateral challenge from the All Blacks.
"We suspect they will use the ball side to side, they will see some opportunities to do that from our last outing and that's the point of difference between Simmons and Sharpe."
Australia's last victory over New Zealand at Eden Park was in 1986 and the All Blacks have not been beaten by anyone at the ground in 17 years.
But Deans believes those statistics will count for little on Sunday.
"Those are impressive numbers for sure," he said. "But they don't matter once Sunday's match kicks off.
"Rugby World Cup elimination matches are stand-alone contests, distinct from any other that are played in the international game.
"The pressure is divided equally on both sides as there is no tomorrow, and the ultimate prize [a place in the Rugby World Cup final] awaits the side which earns that right of passage."
Australia: Kurtley Beale/Adam Ashley-Cooper; James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper/Anthony Fainga'a, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane; Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Dan Vickerman, James Horwill (capt), Rocky Elsom, David Pocock, Radike Samo.
Replacements: Tatafu Polota Nau, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Ben McCalman, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Anthony Fainga'a/ Rob Horne
