Reds coach Les Kiss has challenged Jordan Petaia to "back himself" after naming the 31-cap Wallaby at fullback for Queensland's opening Super Rugby trial against Western Force on Saturday.
Primarily used at outside centre during the Wallabies' World Cup campaign, Petaia has been handed the keys to Queensland's back three following a late pre-season surge at Ballymore.
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"I've just asked to make sure he brings his experience to the table," Kiss told media on Friday.
"He's slowly but surely working out how he would fit the backline play and our attack play and these last two weeks he's just come out of the ground and really enjoyed it.
"So I think if I was to ask one thing of Jordy, it would be to go out and be yourself: have fun, back yourself and have a go. Let's see what level of growth we can get from you now and if he gets that, I think we'll see some good stuff tomorrow."
Though trial selections rarely tell the full story, there's plenty to unpack from Kiss' first squad.
Tom Lynagh's injury concerns and the non-selection of James O'Connor has paved Lawson Creighton's inclusion at flyhalf ahead of Harry McLaughlin-Phillips while new recruit Cormac Daly will call set-piece and start alongside Seru Uru in the second row.
"Lawson's a very good game manager, there's still more to learn there but he's very organised in his business around the park. He understands the type of shape we're playing, has a very good kicking game and when you score a try he rarely misses - touch wood, he makes a five pointer a seven-pointer," Kiss said.
"10 is a really good position for us and we've got good coverage. Harry will probably get around 40 minutes, he did really well for us before Christmas at that next level of exposure (in Queensland's Challenger Series) and now he's got another chance at the next level.
"Cormac's a robust player - I knew him from the Irish system and he's learning at a rate of knots. He's still fairly green in terms of his lock play at this level and in this environment but he's grown his fitness and awareness. He's going to call some lineouts tomorrow and he's got a chance to show his wares."
Kiss encouraged his players to use Saturday's trial to "pull the trigger and find out" what they're capable of.
"I don't want them to be too safe. Obviously I want them to try and find out how they can manage the game well but I want them to stretch the game and stretch themselves."
Meanwhile Western Force coach Simon Cron has named four Wallabies in his 33-man touring side with giant winger Taqele Naiyaravoro set to make his first appearance for the club.
Wallabies halfback Nic White will not travel with the squad due to a minor shoulder concern, leaving Test duo Issak Fines-Leleiwasa and Ben Donaldson to partner in the halves with Feleti Kaitu'u another capped international alongside former All Black Atu Moli and Argentina's Santiago Medrano.
“It’s great to finally play against a team who’s not us. As coaches, we get to see some guys, give them some serious minutes and see where they fit in the food chain," Western Force coach Simon Cron said in a statement.
“Some key guys will get 45-60 minutes, then a few guys will share across the 30-30-30 split. It’s a real trial for us. We’ll see who’s going to take whose spot. It’s a competition so it’s exciting.”
The match will be played in three 30-minute periods. Kick off is 3:15pm AEST at Ballymore Stadium and can be seen LIVE on Stan Sport.
Reds (1-15): Sef Fa’agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Seru Uru, Cormac Daly, Liam Wright (co-c), Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Lawson Creighton, Floyd Aubrey, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jordan Petaia
Replacements: George Blake, Alex Hodgman, Peni Ravai, Connor Vest, Taine Roiri, Kalani Thomas, Isaac Henry, Mac Grealy, Bagiuo Johnson-Tiumalu, Joe Brial, John Bryant, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Moli Sooaemalagi, Charlie Brosnan, Louis Werchon, Tim Ryan, Willem Johnstone, Frankie Goldsbrough, Jarrod Homan, Jock Campbell
Force (1-15): Marley Pearce, Tom Horton, Santiago Medrano, Thomas Franklin, Jeremy Williams, Michael Wells, Tim Anstee, Will Harris, Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, Ben Donaldson, Chase Tiatia, Hamish Stewart, Sam Spink, Harry Potter, Max Burey
Replacements: Feleti Kaitu'u, Charlie Hancock, Tiaan Tauakipulu, Lopeti Faifua, Ollie Callan, Ian Prior, Reesjan Pasitoa, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Hamish Moore, Atu Moli, Reginald Churchward, Jhy Legg, Titi Nofogatotoa, Henry Robertson, Bayley Kuenzle, George Poolman, Henry O’Donnell, Ronan Leahy
