He's got a new halves pairing and is without arguably his form player this season but Reds coach Brad Thorn remains bullish heading into the toughest test in Super Rugby.
Thorn is conceding nothing heading into the clash against the champion Crusaders on Friday, saying the Reds are heading to New Zealand to "compete to win".
As a former Crusaders player, Thorn knows plenty about the winning culture in Christchurch.
But he is attempting to instill the same work ethic and rugby smarts in his players, while refusing to accept anything other than maximum effort in games.
"Obviously we're up against the best team in super rugby for the last three years and over the course of the competition there's a real winning culture there," Thorn said.
"It's a really good challenge, the last three years they've been champions. We'll be going there, we feel like we've travelled well the last few years as far as competing and we haven't been far away our last few games.
"So we're going there to compete and compete to win.
"If you look at (our games against) the Highlanders last year, the Chiefs last year, the Hurricanes the year before, we've always competed hard (in New Zealand).
"Argentina, South Africa, I've really liked that the guys front up away, some teams aren't like that.
"We'll be looking to go there and compete on Friday."
As well as having faith in the team as a whole, Thorn is backing flyhalf Isaac Lucas to rise to the challenge against Richie Mo'unga.
"This will be a wonderful experience for him against the current All Blacks no.10," Thorn said of Lucas getting the chance to start in the absence of James O'Connor, who is out with an ankle injury.
"Overseas against the Crusaders, this is all part of the package of his opportunities and learning and growth. There's no pressure on Isaac, so he can just go out there and express himself."
Thorn has a high opinion of the Junior Wallabies playmaker, who he blooded last year as a 20-year-old.
"He's a natural footballer, like all the Lucases, they're competitive, tough rugby players, highly skilled," Thorn said.
"When he's playing, there's always something possibly on, he's very creative."
O'Connor is likely to be back for next week's clash against the Bulls at Suncorp stadium though, with his ankle injury not considered serious.
"He was pushing to play this week," Thorn said.
"He's really enjoying his footy, he's loving his footy and has been in good form.
"I'm pleased with what he's done. And it's been good for Isaac to have a 29-year-old there to be able to talk to, listen to, watch."
Lucas will play alongside Scott Malolua at no.9, giving the Reds a totally new halves pairing for the Crusaders clash.
Thorn is keen to manage the workload of Tate McDermott, who has played all but about 30 minutes of the season so far and has full faith in Malolua.
"With Scotty inside of Isaac, he was selected for Samoa for the World Cup last year, so I don't think it's a bad thing," Thorn said.
"Tatey's been doing a lot of good stuff, he can continue to work on his game, his game management, which in a young nine, he needs to do.
"Scotty will get a crack this week and I was pleased with what he brought on the field last week."
The Reds take on the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday, March 6, kicking off at 5:05pm AEDT, with the match broadcast LIVE on Fox Sports, Kayo and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
