ACT coach David Nucifora has turned the heat up to boiling point on under-pressure Reds rookie Tim Walsh before his Super 12 debut in Canberra.

Nucifora said Walsh, a former charge at Brisbane club Wests, would undoubtedly be nervous before a baptism of fire against the Brumbies on Sunday.

Queensland will name the 24-year-old new recruit as its five-eighth on Friday after captain, playmaker and goalkicker Elton Flatley was officially ruled out.

Walsh is striving to overcome a rushed build-up after returning to Brisbane from England in response to an SOS when injury last week struck down three Reds fly halves.

A robust all-rounder in the mould of Flatley (concussion), it's a huge ask for Walsh in taking over as the main ball player and goalkicker against the table-topping Brumbies, who boast an 8-1 Super 12 record over the Reds.

Nucifora coached Walsh at Wests in 2000 and 2001 and in underage representative sides and admitted his insight would help his side on Sunday.

"I'm fortunate that I know a bit about Timmy Walsh and how he plays but it won't dramatically change how we prepare for the game," he said.

"But certainly anyone in their first Super 12 game will have a bit of nerves and its up to us to play well enough put him under a bit of pressure.

"A position like fly-half is where you feel pressure so it will be up to us to play well.

"I certainly think Timmy would be feeling the pressure leading into the game."

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