Two former Queenslanders are set for emotional homecomings as the ACT Brumbies rotate their squad and prepare for a chance to stake their claim as the best team in Australia.
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In a match up that many hope will help breathe life into Australian rugby, the Brumbies have recalled some of their big guns for a showdown with the Queensland Reds on Saturday night.
Veteran James Slipper is back in the starting XV for what will be his 177th Super Rugby cap, equalling the record set by another Reds-Brumbies legend in Stephen Moore.
At the other end of the spectrum is another Queensland junior, Harry Vella, who will be playing his second game from the bench as he makes way for Slipper to return to the No. 1 jumper.
The Queensland connections - Noah Lolesio, Darcy Swain and Hudson Creighton are former Reds juniors and Cadeyrn Neville spent two seasons in Brisbane - adds an extra layer of feeling to a derby which has established itself as the must-watch game in recent years.
Reds fans have been riding a high after a strong start to the season and many have tipped them to end New Zealand's dominance under the tutelage of new coach Les Kiss.
Those same people wrote the Brumbies off after some lacklustre performances against the Waikato Chiefs and Western Force.
But form goes out the window in what will be Slipper's milestone game before he returns to break Moore's record in the clash against the NSW Waratahs in Canberra next week.
Vella was excited by the chance to play in front of more family and friends after some made the long trip to Canberra to watch his debut against Moana Pasifika.
"They are the enemy now," Vella said. "Winning is always what matters, it doesn't matter if it's here or there, we're trying to get the job done.
"The Kiwis have been the benchmark for the last couple of years, but it's important for Australian rugby to have these types of games. These local derbies and if we can put on a show and create a good vibe, I'm sure it will be a good thing."
An emotional Vella was embraced by teammates and family in the post-match presentation after a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament forced him to wait 18 months for his shot.
"Billy Pollard presented my cap ... hearing him say some nice words about me was very emotional and something I won't forget for a while," Vella said.
"In this organisation we always have a next-man up mentality, we have a lot of strong players in my position. It's just about doing the job in front of you."
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham has opted to keep Wallabies duo Tom Hooper and Nick Frost on the bench to add some Test punch to the back end of the game.
Skipper Ryan Lonergan is back at No. 9 for a head to head battle with Tate McDermott, while Lachlan Lonergan also replaces Billy Pollard as the starting hooker.
"We had good combinations last weekend and everyone played well, generally," Larkham said.
"We do look at rotations to make sure everyone's fresh. We have to make smart decisions around where players are in terms of a fatigue level, and then add in how they performed on the weekend.
"The combinations were solid last week, so it's hard to make too many changes to that."
SUPER RUGBY ROUND SIX
Saturday: Queensland Reds v ACT Brumbies at Brisbane, 7.35pm
Brumbies: 1. James Slipper, 2. Lachlan Lonergan, 3. Sosefo Kautai, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Charlie Cale, 9. Ryan Lonergan (c), 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Corey Toole, 12. Tamati Tua, 13. Hudson Creighton, 14. Ollie Sapsford, 15. Tom Wright. Reserves: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Harry Vella, 18. Rhys van Nek, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Tom Hooper, 21. Luke Reimer, 22. Harrison Goddard, 23. Declan Meredith.
Reds: 1. Peni Ravai, 2. Matt Faessler, 3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 4. Seru Uru, 5. Ryan Smith, 6. Liam Wright, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Tom Lynagh, 11. Mac Grealy, 12: Hunter Paisami, 13. Josh Flook, 14. Jordan Petaia, 15. Jock Campbell. Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser, . George Blake, 18. Zane Nonggorr, 19. Cormac Daly, 20. John Bryant, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Lawson Creighton, 23. Suliasi Vunivalu.