Their unorthodox journey to the Queensland Reds was so similar, coach Ewen McKenzie joked that Beau Robinson and Ben Coridas must have taken the same bus.

So it seemed fitting that Coridas completed his trip down the rugby path less travelled by replacing an injured Robinson and earning a Reds debut.

Coridas, 23, was on Wednesday plucked from the Reds academy and slotted straight into the starting pack for Saturday night's Super Rugby clash with the ACT Brumbies at Suncorp Stadium.

Just like Robinson, Coridas took a chance and travelled north in 2011 after an ill-fated stint with the NSW Waratahs.

"He was pretty much on the same bus as Beau," McKenzie smiled.

Welcomed into the Reds academy, Coridas was even in the mix for a Super Rugby berth early when involved in pre-season trials - only to be leapfrogged by Robinson.

But the injury-plagued openside flanker finally gets his chance in a straight swap with Robinson (elbow).

Robinson is expected to be out for "three to five weeks" after undergoing an arthroscopy on Wednesday following his injury in last round's 17-16 win over the Crusaders.

"He is a good player. He just had not been able to get out there and play consistently," McKenzie said of Coridas.

"When you look at the injuries, he had missed a couple of years of footy - people had forgotten (about him).

"He played in trials but again got a minor injury which allowed others to get going - Quirky (Ed Quirk) had a run then Beau and he hasn't really had a look-in, so here's his chance."

The similarities between Robinson and Coridas looked set to continue on the field, according to McKenzie.

"Beau has done an outstanding job and we think Ben is set up the same way," he said.

"He is probably harder on the ball than Beau.

"Beau has given us value on the attack side of the game as well but Ben's strength is competing and being at the breakdown.

"We recognise the importance of the breakdown this year and having that presence - hopefully he (Coridas) gives us that presence against the Brumbies."

A former Australian under-20s rep with Reds team-mate Quade Cooper, Coridas capped his remarkable rise when told of his Super Rugby debut by McKenzie.

But if he was surprised, he hid it well.

"He is a pretty understated guy, very intense. He wasn't doing cartwheels when I told him he was in the team but I think he was inwardly pleased," McKenzie smiled.

Coridas was preferred to Liam Gill, who was not considered after having to rush back from the Under-20s world championship campaign in Italy.

Gill had only just arrived in Milan with the Australian squad when he was directed to fly back to Brisbane following Robinson's injury.

He will not arrive back in Australia until Thursday.

"We are going to finish the guts of our preparation today - if you look at the timetable, it would have been difficult (for Gill to play)," McKenzie said.

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