The Queensland Reds can book a home Super Rugby AU final with a 10th-straight win at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night against a powerhouse Brumbies unit that, despite their success, haven't won in Brisbane since 2015.
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Captain Liam Wright has recovered from an ankle injury and will play his first game for the Reds this season off the bench, while rival skipper Allan Alaalatoa is also back from a suspension that meant he missed the 40-38 loss to the Reds in Canberra last month.
Alaalatoa's battle with Reds prop Taniela Tupou shapes as key in a regular-season clash Wright and his teammates rate the most important of their young careers.
"The boys are psyched; we just pipped them at the post down there so we now they'll be coming back wanting our blood," he said.
"There isn't really pressure on me because I know everyone else is going to do their role, it's nice to trust the guys around you.
"I'm pretty glad Nella's on my team, but Allan won't be easy competition."
But where Wright and his teammates have publicly declared their desire to be regarded as Australia's No.1 team, coach Brad Thorn isn't bothered.
"I don't have any interest in that sort of chat," he said.
"It took us six games to get near a complete game (in a win over Melbourne Rebels last weekend) and there is still areas to improve there, so to me that's all noise.
"We've got an opposition coming up that will be highly motivated; let's see if we can back up another solid performance.
"At the end of the day, the Brumbies won the comp last year have a full strength side and we both want to rip in."
Thorn has retained former Melbourne and NSW Waratahs veteran Bryce Hegarty at fullback in what will be his 100th Super Rugby game.
It means the in-form regular fullback Jock Campbell stays on a wing with Jordan Petaia on the other flank, Wallabies winger Filipo Daugunu on the bench and Suliasi Vunivalu out injured.
"In a way it's like having three fullbacks; they worked well and earned it," Thorn said of the make-up of his back three.
"He's (Hegarty) been a senior leader in this team and being a finisher the last year or two, a lot of the guys would like to start the game so it's a show of character for Bryce, he's all for the team."
Australian Associated Press
