Force duo Ian Prior and Jono Lance will come full circle when they team up as the starting halves in Brisbane this weekend.
Both Queenslanders, the pair went through school at the same time, starting as opponents as teenagers.
Playing club rugby at the University of Queensland, they were paired in the halves in colts rugby and have spent many matches since playing alongside each other on both Australian coasts.
They were both at the Reds in the 2011 championship year and though their paths diverged for a time, they were reunited at the Force
When the Force was axed from Super Rugby, Prior stayed in Perth returned to initially the Rebels and then the Reds, before heading overseas.
A visa hiccup opened the opportunity for Lance to return to WA and he and Prior picked up from where they'd left off in their first Super Rugby AU match against the Waratahs.
"We didn't think we'd get to play together again after 2017 with the Force," Prior said.
"I've been lucky enough to play against him since schoolboys and play with him since colts so known that guy a long time.
"He's a good mate of mine and he's a terrific footy player so he's only going to keep building each week after coming in late notice there.
"He's been outstanding and I think he'll certainly continue to push for higher honours there.
"In terms of combinations, it's great to know you've got that guy outside you helping manage the game and drive the team around and knowing each other's game was just a bonus on top of that."
The Force's halves pairing are just a couple of the familiar Queensland faces returning to Suncorp Stadium on Friday night with 15 in the Force's wider squad having connections to Queensland rugby.
Reds coach Brad Thorn certainly has plenty of respect for those players returning, particularly Lance, who Thorn coached in 2018.
Lance joined the Reds in 2018 after the departure of Karmichael Hunt and Quade Cooper and took the reins of what was then an even younger backline than they are fielding in 2020.
Thorn said many of the young players who are now the spine of an improving Reds side owed their progression to Lance's contribution.
"Jono Lance, it is really good to see him," he said.
"When he comes to play our side, I hope he feels a sense of pride, he's what helped all this two years ago with these young guys, held the fort really well, showed them the way.
"He comes back to play us and he'll be very motivated."
The respect will flow both ways in the halves with Prior talking up his opposite number and fellow Bundaberg-born halfback Tate McDermott.
McDermott has arguably been the form no. 9 in Super Rugby AU and Prior said the 21-year-old would be a handful on Friday night.
"I actually had the Bundaberg news call me the other day, it turns out we were born in the same town up at Bundaberg up there, so that was quite surprising, must be something in the water up there in terms of halfbacks," he said.
"He's an exceptional talent, he's playing really well and driving his team round quite nicely at the moment so we're certainly going to have our hands full looking after him.
"I think it's just a good sign to see some good young players coming through in that nine and 10 jersey at the moment and really pushing other guys for sports and creating that competitive environment which is fantastic for Australian rugby.
"He's a quality player."
The Force have made just one change to their 23 for the clash with Ollie Atkins replacing Johan Bardoul on the bench.
Coach Tim Sampson still has a host of internationals at his disposal yet to be blooded including former All Black Richard Kahui and capped Wallabies Pek Cowan and Nick Frisby.
Cowan has only just exited quarantine after coming to Australia from Japan and Sampson said he didn't want to rush any of those players into the team.
"It's just not putting the storm too early," Sampson said.
"We've just got to be careful not to load them up too early in this competition but they're looking better day by day.
"They were close for selection but the bonus this week is the continuity of keeping pretty much the same matchday 23, which is important."
The Reds have been forced into a change in the second row after Angus Blyth was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Angus Scott-Young will start in the second row with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto while Brothers product Ryan Smith comes onto the bench.
Rookie prop Jack Straker is also in line for his debut off the pine, replacing Josh Nasser (knee) on the pine.
Chris Feauai-Sautia has been rewarded for his form with a start, pushing Jock Campbell to 15 and Bryce Hegarty to the bench.
"He's a pretty special player when he gets in the mood," Thorn said.
"He really adds something there.
"It's a good opportunity for Chris and he's a good all round rugby player, very smart rugby player, very good at keeping the ball alive, his continuity, plays, pop passes and he's a physical specimen out on the wing.
"I wouldn't imagine he's a pleasant guy to run into."
Check out all the Super Rugby AU teams here.
The Force take on the Reds at Suncorp Stadium on Friday July 10, kicking off at 5:05pm AWST, 7:05pm AEST, LIVE on Foxtel, Foxtel Now and Kayo Sports. Buy tickets here.
