There's nothing like a parochial XXXX Hill crowd at Ballymore to fire the Queensland Reds into action and on Friday night their team will need all the urging they can get when they meet the Brumbies.

In the first of the local derby Australian clashes for the season, the Reds are under the most pressure for a victory after recording losses in their last three games. While they deserve some sympathy for at least two last-ditch losses, the fact remains they have just one victory after four games and need to win on Friday or risk losing touch with the Super 12 leading pack. Interstate games often get bogged down, but these two sides managed to play an entertaining game last year with the Brumbies just getting up on full-time.

What also makes this game special is the clash between Wallaby regulars and hopefuls. The Reds and the Brumbies have dominated Wallaby selections in recent years and several match-ups promise plenty. At outside-centre there is the Brumbies' Stirling Mortlock up against Wallaby vice-captain Daniel Herbert; in the second-row Wallaby hopefuls Justin Harrison (ACT) and Nathan Sharpe (Qld) have an ideal opportunity to impress Rod Macqueen; and at hooker, the Brumbies' Jeremy Paul will be desperate to push his claims for the Wallaby starting spot over the veteran Michael Foley in a classic master versus the apprentice match-up.

The draw gives Queensland only five home games this season and after this game, their second at home for the season, they head off to South Africa for two games before returning home for three straight games. The pressure to perform in South Africa would be immense if they fall to the Brumbies.

The Brumbies, on the other hand, are well placed with just one loss after five rounds and look ready to throw any lingering cobwebs from their South African tour. The Stormers applied immense pressure at Bruce Stadium last weekend, but the Brumbies showed plenty of character to keep their impressive record at home intact. And with Stephen Larkham back from injury, it only seems a matter of time before the Brumbies really click.

Larkham was superb last week in his first Super 12 game of the season. It was tough to imagine he had been out for a month as he easily slipped back into combination with halfback George Gregan and it is easy to sense the confidence in the other players with Larkham directing play.

Injuries have dealt Queensland a poor hand with in-form flyhalf Elton Flatley forced to miss the clash with Larkham with a knee injury. Flatley will be out for four to six weeks allowing former Wallaby Nathan Spooner the chance to resurrect his Queensland career after a horror run with injury. Spooner will be making his first Super 12 start in almost 18 months after a stellar year in 1999 that saw him win Wallaby selection before a groin injury put him out of the game. John Eales continues to recover from an Achilles injury, while halfback Sam Cordingley is hopeful of returning next week from his sternum problem.

In the other major change to the side, Damian Smith was dropped for the first time in 116 matches to make way for the faster Ricky Nalatu on the wing. Coach Mark McBain obviously frustrated by the lack of finishing in the many breaks the Reds managed to create.

The Brumbies go into the game with centre James Holbeck struggling the most with a hamstring injury. Wallaby No.8 Jim Williams was troubled by an ankle this week, but is sure to play, while Wallaby lock David Giffin is still three to four weeks away from a return with his ankle injury.

With the Reds boasting a healthy smattering of Wallaby talent, Brumbies coach Eddie Jones knows full well it would be suicide to take Queensland, despite their current form, lightly.

"They have 11 Wallabies in their starting line-up so they certainly have quality and experience on their side," Jones said of the Queensland threat. "It's always tight when we play the Reds and this week will be no different.

"They've been a little unlucky in a few of their matches this year and have only lost games by the narrowest of margins."