Josh Flook has tipped the "18-year-old" James O'Connor to resurface as he returns to the centres for the Queensland Reds' Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final.
O'Connor once again shifts to inside centre for Saturday's clash with the Chiefs, allowing Tom Lynagh to start.
Catch every game of Super Rugby Pacific LIVE on Stan Sport. Start your Free Sport Trial Now
No.12 Hunter Paisami has been ruled out after suffering a knee injury in his return to the starting side from a long-term injury in last week's humbling loss to the Fijian Drua.
Winger Filipo Daugunu also shift inside to the centres, allowing Josh Flook to move to the wing, whilst Taj Annan comes onto the bench after his stint with the Junior Wallabies.
Daugunu was terrific in the unfamiliar position when the Reds upset the Chiefs in New Plymouth last month, the only loss the Chiefs have suffered this season and first Reds win in the country for 10 years.
Flook said the Reds needed O'Connor to be at his best for the side to become the first Australian team to win a Super Rugby play-off game in New Zealand.
The 32-year-old debuted for Australia on the wing as an 18-year-old but has found a home in the Reds' spine since returning from Europe in 2019.
He is off contract but AAP understands the Reds are close to finalising a deal to keep him at Ballymore next season.
"He's starting to find his feet again, playing with that bit of confidence as he did when he had that really good season at No.10," Flook said on Wednesday.
"Hopefully he's got that back because we really need him this weekend.
"At 12 he's a bit more of a ball-runner, can bring his footwork and show he's still got it from back when he was an 18-year-old kid.
"At 10 he's got to take that leadership role just a tad bit more and direct the team ... the 12 position just gives them a little bit more freedom."
Thorn won't coach the Reds next year and will use the off-season to consider his next move after a remarkable stint as professional player and mentor in both rugby codes stretching back to 1994 with the Brisbane Broncos.
"He's not a selfish person, he's making it all about us," Flook said.
"But I know all of us have, in the back of our mind, that we're playing for him.
"We're just playing for pride at the moment, were embarrassed last week and we've taken that personally."
REDS (1-15): Peni Ravai, Matt Faessler, Sef Fa'agase, Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Josh Flook, James O'Connor, Filipo Daugunu, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell
RESERVES: Richie Asiata, Dane Zander, Zane Nonggorr, Lopeti Faifua, Jake Upfield, Kalani Thomas, Lawson Creighton, Taj Annan
