ACT Brumbies captain Sam Carter is bracing for a second-row onslaught from the Queensland after the Reds pulled a selection surprise by throwing Rob Simmons into tall-timber pack.
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The Reds have opted for a major re-shuffle with Simmons shifting to the unfamiliar blindside flanker role to form a towering combination with locks Kane Douglas and Izack Rodda.
Simmons, a 70-Test veteran, and Douglas were left out of Wallabies' squad for a mid-year series against Fiji, Scotland and Italy while Carter and Rory Arnold got their international chance.
The second-row battle will add spice to what will be Simmons' last game in Brisbane after being told he was unwanted by the Reds next year.
Carter expects Queensland's disappointing season coupled with Simmons' farewell to ignite the Reds.
"You only have to look at the players they've got on the roster and they're a class team, we can't take them easy by any means," Carter said.
"It's not going to be perfect going out there after a month and a half off. The main thing is the intent and energy we bring to the game. If we can get that right, I've got no doubt we can get a good result.
"I think the whole forward pack will aim up, led by [former Brumbies captain] Stephen Moore ... I've got no doubt they'll be up for the contest and it will be a tough battle up front."
The Brumbies will be attempting to extend a three-match winning streak after getting their season back on track and securing Australia's guaranteed finals berth.
The Brumbies demolished the Reds 43-10 earlier in the season, scoring five unanswered tries in the second half to cruise to an easy win.
However, beating the Reds triggered an alarming mid-season form slide in Canberra and the Brumbies were in danger of missing the finals until they rediscovered their rhythm.
The five-week break for the international window halted the Brumbies' rise, but coach Stephen Larkham is sticking with the bulk of the starting XV which won the past three games.
The only change is prop Scott Sio returning from a knee injury while Larkham will finalise his bench when the team arrives in Brisbane on Thursday.
"If you look at the history of the games [between the Brumbies and Reds] it's about the 80-minute performance," Moore said.
"Even earlier this year we were level at half-time and we made most of our errors in the second half. We've got to start the game well and continue right until the death because we know the Brumbies will be prepared to do that."
Meanwhile, the Brumbies have been linked with former ACT flanker Lachlan McCaffrey, who is considering a Super Rugby return after a stint in England with the Leicester Tigers.
SUPER RUGBY ROUND 16
Friday: Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium, 7.45pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports 1.
Brumbies team: 15. Tom Banks, 14. Henry Speight, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 12. Kyle Godwin, 11. Aidan Toua, 10. Wharenui Hawera, 9. Joe Powell, 8. Jordan Smiler, 7. Chris Alcock, 6. Scott Fardy, 5. Sam Carter, 4. Rory Arnold, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Josh Mann-Rea, 1. Scott Sio. Reserves: TBC.
Reds team: 15. Karmichael Hunt, 14. Izaia Perese, 13. Campbell Magnay, 12. Duncan Paia'aua, 11. Eto Nabuli, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. James Tuttle, 8. Adam Korczyk, 7. George Smith, 6. Rob Simmons, 5. Izack Rodda, 4. Kane Douglas, 3. Taniela Tupou, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Sef Faagase. Reserves: 16. Alex Mafi, 17. Markus Vanzati , 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Cadeyrn Neville, 20. Caleb Timu, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Hamish Stewart, 23. Chris Kuridrani.
