The Reds have swum against the tide and named all but one of their returning Wallabies to play against the Chiefs in their final trial of the pre-season at Ballymore on Friday night.
In a World Cup year, the Waratahs and Brumbies decided to rest their big names ahead of round one but the Reds have included four players from last year's spring tour.
Samu Kerevi, Taniela Tupou, Sefa Naivalu and Jordan Petaia have been named in the starting side for the Ballymore clash, while Alex Mafi, will come off the bench in his first appearance back from Japan.
Izack Rodda (rested) is the only member of the Reds' sprint tour contingent missing in a match the Reds believe is crucial to their Super Rugby preparations.
Attack coach Jim McKay said with Queensland facing a round one bye, it was vital the Wallabies be involved in the trial to gain momentum ahead of the Reds' opening Super Rugby clash against the Highlanders.
"We respect the national program but for our program it was critical they play this week," McKay said.
"They've been training with us for a couple of weeks now but they've got to play with us and get some combinations and synergy with the other guys.
"We have a bye in the fist round of the competition, so it was really important they play with us this week."
The Reds lost their opening trial in Ballarat last week to a Rebels fightback after the siren.
And while there were some positive signs, McKay expected the team would build on that showing against the Chiefs.
"We're expecting some growth from last week from the Rebels game and we're in the (early) stage of building our game," he said.
"We're expecting from the Chiefs, a good game, and it suits us entering the season because our first two games are against the Highlanders and Crusaders, so I think they'll have a similar style.
"So it's an important game for us and a really important game for where we're at.
"And in the context of the opposition, it's ideal preparation for us."
Reds coach Brad Thorn agreed that engaging a New Zealand side before facing Kiwi teams back-to-back in the competition proper provided his team with a perfect preparation.
"It'll be the Chiefs' last hitout before they play the following week, so they'll be coming with real intent," Thorn said.
"It's also our last (pre-season) hitout, so I'm looking for the guys to step up from last week."
The Chiefs have named a familiar face in the form of Jack Debreczeni, the former Rebels and Australian under 20s fly-half.
The Reds take on the Chiefs on Friday at Baltimore, February 8 at 7pm local, 8pm AEDT. The game will be live streamed on Redsrugby.com.au
Queensland team
1 Feao Fotuaika
2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3 Taniela Tupou
4 Harry Hockings
5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6 Angus Scott-Young
7 Liam Wright
8 Scott Higginbotham
9 Moses Sorovi
10 Hamish Stewart
11 Jordan Petaia
12 Samu Kerevi
13 Chris Feauai-Sautia
14 Sefa Naivalu
15 Bryce Hegarty
Bench
16 Alex Mafi
17 Harry Hoopert
18 Ruan Smith
19 Angus Blyth
20 Caleb Timu
21 Tate McDermott
22 Duncan Paia’aua
23 Isaac Lucas
24 Adam Korczyk
25 Teti Tela
26 Jack Hardy
27 Filipo Daugunu
Chiefs team
1. Atu Moli
2. Samisoni Taukeiaho
3. Jeff Thwaites
4. Michael Allardice (C)
5. Tyler Ardron
6. Mitchell Brown
7.Lachlan Boshier
8. Taleni Seu
9. Brad Weber
10. Jack Debreczeni
11. Etene Nanai-Seturo
12. Alex Nankivell
13. Bailyn Sullivan
14. Malo Tuitama
15. Shaun Stevenson
Reserves
16. Sekope Moli
17. Aidan Ross
18. Tevita Mafileo
19. Laghlan McWhannell
20. Jesse Parete
21. Jack Stratton
22. Tyler Campbell
23. Orbyn Leger
24. Sosefo Kautai
25. Mitchell Jacobson
26. Pita Gus Sowakula
27. Quinn Tupaea
