He's still regarded as a "big brother" by many at the Reds but Queensland are out to stop James Slipper from enjoying a successful return to Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
The former Reds captain was unwanted at Ballymore after returning two positive tests to cocaine and has found a new home at the Brumbies, where he has returned to Super Rugby in vintage form in the front row.
Current Reds leader Samu Kerevi knows Queensland can ill afford to allow Slipper to build momentum in his homecoming if they are to combat a Brumbies side high on confidence after last week's derby win against the Waratahs.
"It's going to be weird for me playing against Slips," Kerevi said.
"This will probably be the first time I've ever played against him since coming in (to the Reds system).
"I've always looked at Slips as a big brother, he's looked after a lot of us as we've come through the ranks, as past players had done for him.
"So it's going to be weird to see him playing at Suncorp in a different jersey.
"But I know he'll be excited for this opportunity and just to be back at home in front of his family and friends and playing footy again.
"He's been playing really well the last couple of weeks, so to be back at home where he's had so much history, a lot of good memories for him, so I reckon he's going to have a big game and for us, we've got to try for us not to have a big game.
"I'm really happy for him and excited to see him again on the field."
His surroundings may be new, but Slipper's role is nothing new, with the prop again taking on a mentoring role, this time in Canberra.
Brumbies captain Christian Lealiifano said Slipper had been "fantastic" since making the move to the capital.
"I can't speak highly enough of the way he's approached his preparation and his footy around here," Lealiifano said.
"He's a highly experienced player and coming into a new environment and he's just excelled.
"A lot of the young guys in and around that, even (Wallabies front-rower) Scott Sio, have really benefited from working alongside him and seeing how he operates.
"I've been stoked with how he's been performing for us and I'm glad he's on our team rather than the Reds.
"But it's probably really special for him heading up home where he started his footy and played over 100 gamed for the Reds.
"He's spoken about creating a new chapter for himself now and I'm just really glad he's with us."
Kerevi said while it was disappointing to see Slipper leave he was glad "that he's found his happiness in Canberra".
"I'm really happy for him and I'm excited to play him this weekend," Kerevi said.
"Just having his family and friends here at home, and his support, that's what makes me happy about everything."
The Reds were able to dominate the Brumbies physically in their 18-10 home win last season but the addition of Slipper, among others, to their pack, means there is unlikely to be a repeat on Sunday.
"The driving maul has been working really well in the last couple of games," Kerevi said of the Brumbies' potent weapon.
"You saw Folau Faingaa scoring a couple of tries off the back of those strong mauls.
"So there's massive ownership on our forwards just to do their job and I've been really happy with how they've been working and our set piece came to life last week and we can hopefully continue that form"
A vital ingredient in any Reds recipe for success will be discipline though.
"Our discipline is going to be really important," Kerevi said.
"We don't want to be piggybacking them up the field.
"They're still a strong attacking team, they've got a lot of attacking threats across the backline, a couple of Wallabies in there and we've got to watch that but disciplines going to be key for us."
The Reds take on the Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, March 24, kicking off at 4:05pm AEDT (3:05pm local), LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
