Reds' big-picture approach to Super season

Defending champions of a title that doesn't exist this year, the Queensland Reds aim to be more ruthless and "dominate" their Australian Super Rugby Pacific rivals before taking that form across the Tasman.

The Reds pipped the Brumbies 19-16 to win the 2021 Super Rugby AU final in a wild, after-the-siren skirmish before both teams won just once from five games against New Zealand opponents to finish the season with a whimper.

The two domestic tournaments have been scrapped this year, Fijian Drua and Moana Pasifika added to create a combined 12-team league with an eight-team finals series.

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The Reds, who host the Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, plan on being there at the pointy end.

"(The NZ teams) were better in pretty much every facet ... time will tell but we're confident and eager to play those guys," Reds fullback Jock Campbell said.

"We know they're the best provincial sides in the world ... we want to dominate those (Australian) guys, but they're the marker for our success.

"There's a lot of room for improvement on last year ... (it's about) showing Australian fans that we can mix it with the best."

The Reds aren't looking past a new-look Rebels though, headed by South African coach Kevin Foote who has promoted an up-tempo style.

Reds Academy product Carter Gordon will pull the strings at No.10 for the Rebels, while flanker Sam Wallis is a former University of Queensland teammate of Campbell's.

"I loved playing with him, hate playing against him," said Campbell, who hinted he'd leave the banter to chirpy halfback Tate McDermott.

"He's a good friend. I hope he does well but hopefully we get under his skin somehow because he does have a couple