Reds coach Brad Thorn has rewarded his side after a strong showing last week, naming a mostly unchanged side for their clash against the Blues on Friday.
Thorn has kept the same starting line-up that defeated the Chiefs last week, with James O'Connor retaining the captaincy alongside Liam Wright in his 100th Super Rugby game.
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The only changes come on the bench with Fraser McReight and Seru Uru amongst the three players to drop out of the side.
They have been replaced by Angus Blyth and Sam Wallis, with Moses Sorovi also called into the side.
In the Reds' final home game of 2021, they will celebrate their 10th annual Indigenous Round by wearing their 2021 Indigenous jerseys.
“We’re at home for the final time this year in front of our Queensland supporters,” Thorn said in a statement.
“It was good to get the win in Townsville in a good battle with the Chiefs and we’re expecting the same this week against the Blues.”
Meanwhile, the Blues have named a full-strength squad for the must-win clash, with captain Patrick Tuipulotu returning to the starting side.
Tuipulotu, who has come off the bench in the last two games, is joined in a monster pack by All Blacks Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Ofa Tuungafasi and Karl Tu’inukuafe.
“It is excellent for us to have our full squad to select from at the business end of the season, and also to have strong competition for places. There are some players performing well in training who have missed out, but they are a big reason why our selected players have stood up,” said head coach Leon MacDonald.
“We are under no illusion about the battle ahead of us. Take your eye off the game for a moment, and the Reds will take it away from you. Just ask the Chiefs.
“Playing at home at Suncorp Stadium, the Reds are a different beast and we are well aware that we will need to deliver in every part of our game for the full 80 minutes. We need our set piece to fire and our aggressive defence to help deliver front-foot ball for our backs to prosper.
“At the same time discipline is so important. We will again look for our bench to give us a massive boost later in the game.”
REDS (1-15): Feao Fotuaika, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Ryan Smith, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Scott-Young, Liam Wright (co-c), Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Filipo Daugunu, Isaac Henry, Hunter Paisami, Suliasi Vunvalu, Bryce Hegarty
Reserves: Josh Nasser, Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Angus Blyth, Sam Wallis, Moses Sorovi, Hamish Stewart, Ilaisa Droasese
INs: Angus Blyth, Sam Wallis, Moses Sorovi,
OUTs: Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Kalani Thomas,
BLUES (1-15): Karl Tu'inukuafe, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tuungafasi, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tom Robinson (c), Dalton Papalii, Akira Ioane, Finlay Christie, Otere Black, Mark Telea, TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan
Reserves: Soane Vikena, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Jacob Pierce, Jonathan Ruru, Harry Plummer, AJ Lam
INs: Ofa Tuungafasi, Jacob Pierce
OUTs: Marcel Renata, Josh Goodhue
