They might be the bookies' favourite but Queensland won't be under any illusions about the challenge presented by Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium this Friday.
Fresh from their unbeaten two-game UK tour, the Reds were keen observers of the Western Force's 45-44 win over Moana with Les Kiss' men sides set to face both sides in the opening month of Super Rugby Pacific.
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Their immediate focus is this week's clash with a Moana side desperate to atone for letting a 13-point lead slip in Perth with just four minutes on the clock.
Ardie Savea's number eight battle with Harry Wilson will be worth the price of admission and the Wallaby skipper is itching to get his Super Rugby Pacific campaign underway on home soil.
"It was awesome to see the other (Aussie) teams) get out and the wins on the weekend … but there's nothing better than playing at Suncorp Stadium. As Reds, we pride ourselves playing there and it's been quite a while since our last home game," Wilson told reporters.
"Moana are a massive forward pack, really good scrum and good set piece, so that'll be an exciting battle for us and obviously they've got a few pretty quick wingers too.
"But it's going to be a massive challenge in the backrow when you've got Ardie at number eight plus their six and seven were unbelievable on the weekend and those centres are direct and hard-running
"I urge all the public to get out there and support us this weekend. It's a such massive year for rugby in Australia and Queensland and we just want to start it the right way."
Wilson also noted "hard-running" Moana midfielders Lalomilo Lalomilo and Pepesana Patafilo who outshone their Force counterparts despite the loss.
"I think (Moana flyhalf Jackson) Garden-Bachop really adds to their game as a playmaker and lets the outside backs do their thing," Reds centre Josh Flook said.
"13 and outwards have really good feet and really good speed so you just can't let them get room. They're big aggressive players who want the ball in space so we'll have to work in ones and twos to shut them down and not give them the space they want.
"They're going to get the line break here and there and then it's about that hustle to get back on the line and set before they do so we can go after them again."
