Kevin Walters has kept Tom Dearden as Australia's chief playmaker for the World Cup final, with Sam Walker available from the bench.
"We've made some tough calls."
"I would happily play Sam as well; I've just got to (pick one player there), and Tommy was the man to get the nod and he grabbed his chance," Walters said on Saturday.
"We've still got Sam on the bench, so if we need some flare or something that's required in the game we've got him parked there, so it's a good luxury to have."
South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell will miss the final after illness ended his World Cup campaign.
Mitchell played in Australia's opening match against the New Zealand Kiwis, but was absent from subsequent games.
His withdrawal led Walters to add James Tedesco to the six-man interchange bench.
Walters has retained Reece Walsh at fullback following his scintillating form during the tournament.
Walsh will meet New Zealand fullback Kalyn Ponga again in a matchup between two of the game's top players.