Young winger Josh Flook says Queensland are relishing the chance of testing themselves against the Super Rugby Pacific pace-setting Brumbies when they clash on Friday night in Canberra.
Both Australian sides are unbeaten after four rounds with the Brumbies leading the charge from the Reds courtesy of a bonus point.
But the Reds have bragging rights after toppling the Brumbies to win Super Rugby AU last season with Canberra lock Darcy Swain igniting the fuse early by saying he wants to "go out there and shut them up this weekend".
Last year the biggest margin in three games was three points, which came in the final when the Reds got up 19-16.
Flook, who is settling into his role as a winger after shifting from the centres, says the game presents a challenge both individually and as a team.
"Obviously they're a very good good side and have been for the past couple of years," the 20-year-old said on Tuesday.
"We've developed a really good rivalry against them so it's exciting to come up against one of the heavyweights in the competition and we get to compare ourselves to them early in the season, which is nice."
Flook is also looking forward to marking Test winger Tom Wright, who scored two tries in the Brumbies' last-round win over Melbourne.
Flook himself was key to their last-ditch win over Fijian Drua, pulling off a try-saving cover tackle.
"He's obviously a Wallaby and has shown he can play that level really well so it'll be a good match-up for myself and I'm looking forward to it."
Flook said the team took belief from their 3-0 record against the Brumbies in 2021 while they are hopeful of skipper Liam Wright returning from his round-one shoulder injury.
"We were able to get in and get the job done last year so that gives us a bit a bit of hope for this year," Flook said.
"It's a very hard place to go down and play - they got a little fortress down there and I'm sure there'll be up for it and we've just got to go down and match it with them."
