Coach Nick Stiles has threatened to swing the selection axe again if the Queensland Reds don't match the endangered Melbourne Rebels for desperation in Saturday's Super Rugby clash.
The Reds are clinging to hope they can still qualify for the finals with three of their five matches to come against Australian conference rivals.
But Stiles is expecting a fierce confrontation against the struggling Rebels, who are in the Australian Rugby Union's crosshairs and could be closed down if a proposed buyout of the club's licence goes ahead.
"This week they've come under more heat than anyone else, all the speculation from the media is they're gone," Stiles told reporters on Thursday.
"You're going to get a team that comes out and plays for their life.
"It shouldn't just be them doing that, the reality is we should do the same.
"We're going down there and if we win this game we're still alive in the conference.
"If I don't see a committed and desperate performance from our guys, you start to make changes."
Stiles has named Karmichael Hunt to make his return from a knee injury at AAMI Park while halfback Nick Frisby has been recalled to the starting team for the first time since March.
To accommodate Hunt at fullback, Duncan Paia'aua has been moved back to inside centre while Campbell Magnay will start on the wing at the expense of Izaia Perese.
Stiles said he was delighted to have Test hopeful Hunt back in the team, saying the two games he has missed were Queensland's two worst performances of the season.
He also praised Frisby for an improved focus around his training and preparation.
However, there is still no room for young hooker Andrew Ready, who was dropped to club rugby along with Frisby last month amid public criticism of their professionalism from Stiles.
"He's a pretty stubborn old mule, which is a strength, it's what's got him able to play at this level," Stiles said of Ready.
"But also sometimes you've got to accept a bit of feedback and until you really take that on board it restricts you from going.
"I've got no doubt with how he's trained and the changes he's made, he'll be back in the 23 very soon."
Queensland Reds: Karmichael Hunt, Campbell Magnay, Samu Kerevi, Duncan Paia'aua, Eto Nabuli, Quade Cooper, Nick Frisby, Scott Higginbotham, George Smith, Hendrik Tui, Lukhan Tui, Rob Simmons, Sam Talakai, Stephen Moore, Sef Fa'agase. Reserves: Alex Mafi, Kirwan Sanday, Taniela Tupou, Izack Rodda, Adam Korczyk, Moses Sorovi, Hamish Stewart, Izaia Perese.
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