The Queensland Reds are wary about a Waratahs uprising but the Super Rugby champions will kick off their title defence further motivated to make NSW pay for their 2011 “embarrassment”.

The Reds lost only three matches in their 15-victory charge to last season’s Super trophy but the record round two 30-6 hammering at ANZ Stadium still stings.

The traditional rivals meet at Homebush again on February 25 and Queensland haven’t forgotten the painful four-try lesson which sent them back to the drawing board.

“We were very poor that night and it was a bit embarrassing,” coach Ewen McKenzie said.

“That was our worst performance of the year and now we’ve got the challenge to go back there and do something about that.”

As a former Waratahs coach, McKenzie knows it won’t be easy.

He likes what he sees in the 2012 NSW squad which bookmakers have already installed as favourites for the season opener.

McKenzie lauded former Wallabies front-row team-mate Michael Foley as a meticulous planner as head coach, and new assistant Alan Gaffney, his first Randwick mentor, as a canny attack guru.

That is on top of a Wallabies-laden forward pack and a backline that features Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Adam Ashley-Cooper and new halfback recruit Sarel Pretorius.

“There’s a bit to worry about for us,” he said. “They’ll have a good set piece and they’ll have a good set play off that and good moves and good players to execute.”

While retired former skipper Phil Waugh must be replaced, McKenzie noted Melbourne Rebels signing Kurtley Beale and France-based Luke Burgess were NSW’s two “key” losses, and their absence could well force a change of style.

“It was only two guys but they had a lot to do with their performances so how they replace them will be interesting,” he said.

The nippy Pretorius is renowned for his flair and spontaneous attacking ability but doesn’t possess the tough defence around the ruck that was a feature of Wallabies half Burgess’s game.

“Luke Burgess gave them that sort of X-factor and starch and that’s why the Waratahs were one of the best defensive teams last year,” McKenzie said.

“It will be interesting to see how that comes together.”