Captain Scott Higginbotham’s return to the Queensland Reds starting team against the Brumbies means potential Wallabies bolter Caleb Timu must press his claims from another position.

Timu has made a big impression as a running No.8 while Higginbotham served his three-match suspension and he was singled out for praise by Australia coach Michael Cheika.

However, he has been moved to blindside flanker for the clash with the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday night as veteran Higginbotham resumes in his regular back-row position, having returned via the bench in the last-start loss to the Stormers.

The Wallabies have struggled to find a top-line ball-running No.8 in recent years and converted openside flanker David Pocock will be favoured to return to that spot this year.

But 24-year-old Timu has loomed as a possible newcomer who plays more like ex-Wallabies great Toutai Kefu.

In another significant change to the Reds line-up, Eto Nabuli returns on the wing, shifting Chris Feauai-Sautia into a powerful centre combination with Samu Kerevi; in place of Duncan Paia’aua who drops out of the match squad.

Lock Lukhan Tui returns via the bench for the first time since his three-match suspension.

Coach Brad Thorn’s youth policy is set to create another milestone, with outside back Jordan Petaia named on the bench for the first time and poised to become the Reds’ youngest-ever Super Rugby debutant at 18 years and 24 days.

“He (Petaia) may be young, but he has bags of talent and has shown plenty of promise at training and in our intra-squad trial,” Thorn said.

“It’s a good opportunity for him.”

Queensland Reds: Aidan Toua, Filipo Daugunu, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Samu Kerevi, Eto Nabuli, Jono Lance, Ben Lucas, Scott Higginbotham (capt), Adam Korczyk, Caleb Timu, Kane Douglas, Izack Rodda, Taniela Tupou, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper. Res: Alex Mafi, JP Smith, Ruan Smith, Lukhan Tui, Liam Wright, James Tuttle, Hamish Stewart, Jordan Petaia.