Stirling Mortlock says the Brumbies powerful back three must stand up to ensure their Super 14 season stays alive against would-be giant-killers Queensland.

Mortlock will play out of position on the wing on Saturday night in a move which has bemused the Reds who are desperate to end their woes against their Australian bogey side.

But the Wallabies skipper said he wouldn't be stuck on the sideline and would enjoy a roving commission to terrorise the Queensland defence at Suncorp Stadium.

Mortlock will combine with fellow Wallabies back Adam Ashley-Cooper and a fit-again fullback Mark Gerrard in a highly experienced and penetrative back three following a backline reshuffle after the Brumbies 56-7 thumping by the Hurricanes.

A loss will end the eighth-placed Brumbies season and the Test veteran said it was highly important he, Ashley-Cooper and Gerrard made their mark.

"It's crucial for our whole back three to get involved in the game," he said. "All three of us will have the mindset to get involved and we'll be roving.

"Gerrardo has been in outstanding form for us this year so to have him back is a great boost and he adds a little bit of class and control as well as his big kicking game."

Reds coach Phil Mooney expects to see Mortlock all over the field despite the No.11 being on his back, just as the Brumbies expect Berrick Barnes to be calling the shots at five-eighth despite being named at inside centre.

The Brumbies are also looking to follow the lead of Queensland, coming off a breakthrough 31-24 upset of the Blues in Auckland, by bouncing back from a bad loss.

After scoring their first win on the road in 20 matches, Mooney said the his young, inconsistent side was now looking to end to put together their first back-to-back win in three years.

"We've got an opportunity now to put to bed the theory we can't back up," he said.

"The preparation has been good and the leadership has been good again so its up to the players.

"We can break a barrier tomorrow night."

But they will have to do with a far less mobile back-row than the Brumbies with George Smith and Stephen Hoiles presenting a huge danger at the breakdown.

The Brumbies have won 13 of the 14 Super rugby matches between the two sides since 1996 and intelligent preparation and planning have been hallmarks of their success in the past.

Rubbing salt into the Queenslanders, there's been a tradition of former players haunting the Reds. The likes of Pat Howard, Tim Atkinson, Mark Chisholm, Julian Huxley and Jim Williams have risen in the past to star against their former state.

Novice playmaker Matt Toomua, a Brisbane State high School product, is hoping to be the latest after coach Andy Friend stuck with the teenager in spite of last week's horror loss.

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