Reds coach Les Kiss has happily clapped back at his Waratahs counterpart ahead of Saturday's grudge match, thanking "Queenslander" Dan McKellar for helping to "promote the game".
The friendly war of words was sparked by McKellar's quip last week that Queensland were "the best team in the comp" and Kiss was all smiles when the inevitable question emerged at Wednesday's press conference.
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"It's a big game on the calendar, isn't it? He (Dan McKellar) has every right to feel confident, they've a bloody good team," Kiss told reporters.
"He's a Queenslander (and) we're just thankful he's helping to promote the game up here for our crowd.
"Bottom line is we can throw words out there but there's got to be action. We're looking forward to the occasion, getting out there and just being who we are."
One player who'll be raring for action is Wallabies and Reds centre Hunter Paisami, who has been named to return from a two-week suspension.
Test teammate Tom Lynagh has also returned to the starting side for a mouth-watering match-up with former Red Lawson Creighton but it's not all rosy for Queensland with co-captain Liam Wright cotton-woolled after sustaining another shoulder niggle during last week's loss in Christchurch.
Rookie tighthead Massimo de Lutiis has also been rested for Saturday's clash with Test duo Zane Nonggorr and Jeffrey Toomaga-Allen gearing up for a long night against the Waratahs' star-studded front row unit of Angus Bell, Dave Porecki and Taniela Tupou.
"We're just investigating further this week and thought we'd just take precautions to make sure we're right in terms of what it is," Kiss said of Wright's injury.
We'll probably know what it is by the end of the week, if not earlier. Hopefully it's nothing major but with these things we never know."
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa'agase, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Heremaia Murray
Replacements: Richie Asiata, Alex Hodgman, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Dre Pakeho
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Taniela Tupou, Hugh Sinclair (c), Ben Grant, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Leafi Talataina, Teddy Wilson, Lawson Creighton, Max Jorgensen, Joey Walton, Henry O'Donnell, Triston Reilly, Andrew Kellaway
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Siosifa Amone, Felix Kalapu, Jamie Adamson, Langi Gleeson, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed
