Rookie Red Matt McGahan has been thrust into the playmaking role for Queensland in Saturday's home clash against the Jaguares, shifting into no.10 in a positional change with Bryce Hegarty.
Hegarty, the Reds regular five-eighth this season, will shift to fullback, with McGahan in the halves alongside Tate McDermott.
The switch is one of six changes the Reds have made to their starting XV for Saturday's Indigenous Round match against the Argentinian side.
Reds defence coach Peter Ryan said both players were set to return to their natural roles on Saturday.
"Bryce came in and did a job for us there," Ryan said.
"He was as fullback that we expected to play 10 and then last week we had Matt, who is traditionally a 10, playing fullback.
"So the natural progression for them going forward was we swapped them over and gave Matt back his natural position of 10 that Bryce has been doing a really good job at but Matt is probably more accustomed to."
McGahan has shown an assured hand since making his Reds debut at fullback against the Waratahs after finally recovering from a broken leg.
His crosskick to find Alex Mafi for a try in that game was a sublime piece of play, while his communication skills are outstanding and he could find a longterm home at Ballymore.
Scott Higginbotham will celebrate his 100th game for Queensland with a starting role at no.8, with Izack Rodda to be rested under Rugby Australia's workload management program.
But it will be Higginbotham's second-last game at Suncorp Stadium, with French Top 14 club Bordeaux-Begles officially announcing his signature on Thursday, to a two-year deal.
Ryan said Higginbotham's milestone was an amazing achievement.
"There's not a great number of players that have played 100 games for any Super Rugby franchise, let alone the Reds," Ryan said.
"And to have the ability to create that milestone is no mean feat by any measure.
"He's worked his backside off for a long period of time. He's been around the world and Australia in different clubs but to reach the 100 game milestone for the Queensland reds is a testament to the person he is."
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will shift from the backrow to lock to cover for Rodda.
After resting last week, Samu Kerevi has returned to the side and will line up alongside Chris Feauai-Sautia, who returns from a knee injury.
Filipo Daugunu (broken arm) and JP Smith (concussion) also return, while Brandon Paenga-Amosa will start at hooker in a new-look front row.
Hooker Alex Mafi is on the bench this week in one-of-five changes to the reserves.
Bond University prop Gav Luka could potentially make his Super Rugby and Queensland debut after being named in the Reds’ 23 for the first time.
Lock Harry Hockings returns from suspension, Duncan Paia’aua drops to the bench, while Hamish Stewart is set to make his comeback from a shoulder injury.
The Reds face a massive challenge against a Jaguares side that closely mirrors the Argentinian national team.
"There's 15 Test players named in their squad that our guys can hang their hat off the fact that they're almost playing against a national team and if we do well, then it's certainly a feather in your cap," Ryan said.
The Reds take on the Jaguares at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, June 1, kicking off at 7:45pm AEST, live on Fox Sports, Kayo Sports and via RUGBY.com.au radio.
In recognition of the QRU’s eighth annual Indigenous Round, the Reds will wear one-off Indigenous jerseys for the match.
TEAM
Reds to play Jaguares
1. JP Smith – GPS
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa – Sunnybank
3. Taniela Tupou – Brothers
4. Angus Blyth – Bond University
5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths
6. Angus Scott-Young – University of Queensland
7. Liam Wright – Easts
8. Scott Higginbotham – Wests
9. Tate McDermott – University of Queensland
10. Matt McGahan – Norths
11. Filipo Daugunu – Wests
12. Samu Kerevi – Souths (c)
13. Chris Feauai-Sautia – Souths
14. Jock Campbell – University of Queensland
15. Bryce Hegarty – GPS
Reserves:
16. Alex Mafi – Bond University
17. Ruan Smith – GPS
18. Gav Luka – Bond University*
19. Harry Hockings – University of Queensland
20. Adam Korczyk – University of Queensland
21. Scott Malolua – Souths*
22. Duncan Paia’aua – Norths
23. Hamish Stewart – Bond University
