Reds boss Ewen McKenzie has opted to keep the Brumbies guessing, ahead of their season-opening Super Rugby encounter in Canberra on Saturday.

McKenzie named a 23-man squad and even though he knows his starting XV, he will not officially unveil the team formation till just 24 hours before kick-off.

"We chose our team specifically to play this contest," McKenzie said.

"We've been thinking about it for a long time.

"The players have known since Monday who and how we are going to do it and we're happy to reveal the composition tomorrow [Friday]," he added.

The Reds boss revealed that 23 players will be travelling to Canberra ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster Round One grudge match against the Brumbies.

Reds prop and 2012 Pilecki Medal winner James Slipper will captain Queensland in their 2013 season opener, where the Reds will commence their season-long pursuit of a second Super Rugby championship in three years and third straight Australian Conference title.

The match will also be an opportunity for the Reds to build on their recent dominance over Australian Conference opposition with the Reds boasting an impressing winning record of 13 wins from 16 matches against national opposition since the beginning of 2011.

The Reds also claimed the prestigious Rod Macqueen Cup for the first time in 2012 after defeating the Brumbies in both regular season fixtures - 20-13 in Round Seven and 13-12 in Round 14.

Reds:

Forwards: Nigel Ah Wong, Albert Anae, Jarrad Butler, Saia Faingaa, Liam Gill, James Hanson, Greg Holmes, Ed O'Donoghue, Eddie Quirk, Jake Schatz, Rob Simmons, James Slipper (captain), Adam Wallace-Harrison

Backs: Quade Cooper, Chris F'Sautia, Nick Frisby, Mike Harris, Digby Ioane, Jono Lance, Ben Lucas, Dom Shipperley, Ben Tapuai, Aidan Toua.

Date: Saturday, February 16
Venue: Canberra Stadium Canberra
Kick-off: 19.40 (08.40 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant referees: James Leckie (Australia) Ian Smith (Australia)
TMO: Matt Goddard (Australia)