Queensland assistant coach Peter Ryan says his young side is learning to seize the moment as they target back-to-back Super Rugby victories for the first time this season on Friday.
The Reds have made just one injury-enforced change to their starting side to face the Sunwolves in Brisbane.
Winger Jock Campbell will replace 19-year-old Jack Hardy, who ruptured his ACL in the Reds' breakthrough victory in Durban a fortnight ago.
Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi won't be rested for the clash as the Reds (4-5) return from a bye just one win behind Australian conference leaders Melbourne Rebels.
The Reds turned a 21-5 half-time deficit against the Sunwolves into a 34-31 victory, their first of the season, when the sides met in Tokyo in March.
Queensland then beat the Brumbies in Brisbane but they haven't strung consecutive wins together since.
Encouragingly, the Sunwolves, who are set to be booted from the competition after next season, are 2-8 this season and lost 52-0 to the Highlanders last weekend.
But they did hammer the Reds 63-28 in Tokyo last year, have beaten NSW and Chiefs and come close against the Blues, Reds and Waratahs during this campaign.
The Reds travel to Melbourne next week then play the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium, with three wins enough to shoot them to the top of the Australian standings.
"The next three weeks is make or break in terms of our season," Ryan said.
"And the Sunwolves can get (beat) anyone."
While lamenting their inability to string consistent performances together, Ryan thinks their last-start defeat of the Sharks showed they were starting to figure it out.
"The players are coming to the understanding that 'if it's not now then when, and if it's not you, then who?'," he said.
Shute Shield graduate Seb Wileman has been added to the bench for a possible Super Rugby debut as outside back cover after impressing for club side Brothers since moving to Brisbane from Sydney.
Queensland: Hamish Stewart, Jock Campbell, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi (capt), Sefa Naivalu, Bryce Hegarty, Tate McDermott, Scott Higginbotham, Liam Wright, Angus Scott-Young, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Alex Mafi, Harry Hoopert. Res: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, JP Smith, Ruan Smith, Harry Hockings, Adam Korczyk, Moses Sorovi, Duncan Paia'aua, Seb Wileman.
Share
