Former Reds skipper James Slipper will start for the Brumbies against his former team, setting up a showdown with Taniela Tupou 12 months after they teamed up to destroy the ACT scrum at Suncorp Stadium.

Slipper, a Wallabies veteran, spent most of his 10 year career taking great delight in out-muscling the Brumbies forwards, particularly after a win last year when Thorn said the Reds pack targeted the Brumbies big men.

But front-rowers are like elephants: big, powerful and they never forget. That's why Brumbies coach Dan McKellar says Thorns words from last year still sting.

"We don't rely on individuals with how we scrummage, we certainly work as a unit and all eight have to do their job," McKellar said.

"After the game up there in Brisbane last year Brad spoke a lot about us previously setting the benchmark for set piece and their desire to knock us off the perch.

"That probably irked us a little bit, so we'll be going up there this week to make sure our scrum, lineout and maul continues to function and has some of the dominance it's had in the first few weeks."

Slipper is replacing Scott Sio in the starting side for his Brisbane homecoming, while Allan Alaalatoa has been ruled out for at least one more game because of a wrist injury.

McKellar had no hesitation throwing Slipper into the No. 1 jersey as he prepares to become the Queensland enemy for the first time after playing 105 games for the Reds.

"He's got plenty of experience. He knows that whatever jersey he's wearing, he's got his own individual job to do to allow the team to function well," McKellar said.

The Brumbies are hoping a Wallabies tag team of Sio and Slipper will blunt the impact of 135 kilogram beast Tupou, who is developing into a world-class prop.

McKellar is sticking with the combination of Les Leuluaialii-Makin and Tom Ross as the tighthead combination to fill the void left by Alaalatoa.

Leuluaialii-Makin started his first game in almost two years last week and has started just twice in his 38-game career.

But the 112 kilogram pocket rocket wants to make the most of his opportunity as the Brumbies chase back to back victories for the first time this year.

"For me this year was about just finding myself again and finding why I was grateful for the opportunity to be in the squad," Leuluaialii-Makin said.

"I put my head down in the pre-season. It was disappointing to see Al get injured, but that's what we're here for and why we train - to have the depth to slot in.

"I had an injury [during the National Rugby Championship] and that was a bit of a chance to reset and maybe aim to go further than I have before. Aim to have the biggest year I've had before."

The Brumbies haven't won in Brisbane since 2015 and haven't won two in row so far this year. McKellar has added an extra forward to his bench in anticipation of a taxing clash in Queensland's heat.

"We're feeling confident, the nine-day turnaround has been a great thing for us to have some extra time to work on some things," Leuluaialii-Makin.

"I think we're full of confidence and it's great having Slips on our side, he's seen and done it all. He's got a lot of knowledge and experience to pass on to us ... It's definitely having him on our side than as an opponent."

SUPER RUGBY ROUND SIX

Sunday: Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium, 4.05pm. TV time: Live on Fox Sports.

Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Faingaa, 3. Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 4. Rory Arnold, 5. Sam Carter, 6. Pete Samu, 7. Tom Cusack, 8. Lachlan McCaffrey, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Christian Lealiifano, 11. Lausii Taliauli, 12. Irae Simone, 13. Tevita Kuridrani, 14. Henry Speight, 15. Tom Banks. Reserves: 16. Josh Mann-Rea, 17. Scott Sio, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Blake Enever, 20. Murray Douglas, 21. Jahrome Brown, 22. Matt Lucas, 23. Jordan Jackson-Hope.

Reds: 1. Feao Fotuaika, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Harry Hockings, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Angus Scott-Young, 7. Liam Wright, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Bryce Hegarty, 11. Sefa Naivalu, 12. Samu Kerevi, 13. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 14. Filipo Daugunu, 15. Hamish Stewart. Reserves: 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Ruan Smith, 19. Izack Rodda, 20. Fraser McReight, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Duncan Paia'aua, 23. Isaac Lucas.