Queensland number eight Harry Wilson says he'll relish the opportunity to test himself against Super Rugby's form backrower in Saturday's massive Anzac Weekend clash in Brisbane.
Wilson currently leads the competition in both carries (99) and offloads (12) but will meet his match in Blues anchorman Hoskins Sotutu, who tops this year's try-scorers list (eight) and sits the top 10 for carries (76) and offloads (nine).
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"He's probably been the best player in Super Rugby this year after watching him, he's been pretty dominant in every single game he's played," Wilson said of Sotutu following Wednesday's Round 10 team announcements.
"They're the sort of battles you relish and if I can try and do a job on him and everyone else does on their opposite number, it can only be good for us."
Wilson (12 Test caps and Sotutu (14 Test caps) have walked similar paths at international leve, both debuting in 2020 before falling out of favour.
Now, their match-up headlines an exciting Trans-Tasman battle with plenty of Kiwi flavour in Queensland's camp.
Former Blues prop Alex Hodgman has been named to start for Queensland against his old club alongside ex-All Black Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, halfback Kalani Thomas represented Auckland in last year's NPC and Reds duo Hunter Paisami and Suliasi Vunivalu were both schooled in New Zealand's largest city.
Throw in Queensland's 2-0 record against Kiwi sides at home in 2024 and the stage is set for one hell of a Anzac Weekend clash against the second-placed Blues.
"He (Alex Hodgman) is super excited. I spoke to him in pre-season about how excited he is for this week. … He's come in looking good this week, he's a huge member of a team and a real leader for us," Wilson told media.
"We know how big of a test it is (against the Blues). After the way they performed against the Brumbies with such a dominant display … we know how good of a forward pack they are, so we know as a forward group we've got to step up and really try to lay a platform this week.
"I think we definitely play out best footy against the Kiwi sides . Over the previous years, we had a pretty poor record against Kiwi teams and the only way to change that is to go out and gets wins. It feels as though we've made some real progress there and we get another opportunity this weekend.
"They (the Blues) have got an awesome forward pack and a lightning backline. It's a great test for us and we can't wait for it."
The Reds will be bolstered by the return of centre Josh Flook, who missed last week's 31-0 win over the Highlanders with a shoulder complaint, while Queensland's Tim Ryan has been named to make his starting Super Rugby Pacific debut on the wing.
Exciting outside back Floyd Aubrey has also been called onto the bench for a potential Super Rugby Pacific debut with reserve lock-backrower Connor Vest in line to make his first Reds appearance since fracturing his neck in Round 14 last season.
The Blues have named eight All Blacks in their match-day 23 despite missing a host of regulars including Stephen Perofeta (shoulder), Finlay Christie (groin), Zarn Sullivan (knee), and Akira Ioane, who is staying home for the birth of his child.
