Crusaders academy product Joe Brial is more than familiar with the challenge facing his Queensland teammates this Friday.
An Australian Schools and U18s representative in 2019, the now 23-year-old honed his skills across the ditch in Christchurch's fabled pathway system alongside current Crusaders George Bell and Corey Kellow.
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There, Brial impressed enough to earn selection in both the New Zealand U20s and Canterbury NPC outfits before signing with Queensland back in September 2023.
Now with 22 Queensland caps to his name, Brial's primed to play a key role in the Reds' bid to end a 29-year finals win drought for Australian teams in New Zealand.
"I'm looking forward to it, they're a good team. We've had a really good season so we're excited for the opportunity," Brial told reporters on Tuesday.
"I played for NZ U20s and Canterbury [and] I've played a few times at Apollo Projects [Stadium] there. It's pretty familiar, it's a tough place to play."
The banter has already begun with Brial and Bell texting throughout the week, however the Queenslander says he's fully focused on the challenge ahead.
Brial has been a backrow standout alongside Fraser McReight in the extended absences of co-captain Liam Wright and Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson, donning the Reds' strip 13 times in 2025 with a career-best performance against the Hurricanes two weeks ago.
"Just focusing week by week is what I've been doing. The opportunity to play in the Queensland jersey as much as you can just builds confidence," Brial said.
"It's kind of exciting to have these international backrowers here, it's an awesome opportunity to learn and keep building.
"It's been a 12-18 month kind of process, and gives me a lot of confidence knowing I've done that work.
"If I can get on the field wherever I can, I'll do my best."
