He was the precious gemstone of Queensland rugby 12 months ago, but former favourite son Berrick Barnes knows his old team-mates will be out to break him into a thousand pieces on Saturday night.
Barnes' shock decision to defect to mortal enemies the Waratahs in the off-season was a crushing blow for the embattled Reds.
And the likable 23-year-old is bracing for a bruising reception when he returns to Suncorp Stadium for the Round 1 blockbuster against the Reds.
"I hear they're taking bets on who's going to smash me first," Barnes said at the Waratahs season launch on Monday.
"So they've been throwing all that chat out but I'll be steering clear of it all."
While reluctant to add further to an already explosive scene, Barnes welcomed the challenge of facing an underrated Reds line-up he says is capable of causing serious damage on the scoreboard.
"It's one of those games you obviously look forward to each year," he said.
"I was looking forward on the other foot last year and this one obviously going up to Queensland I certainly know what they're going to bring in the first 30 minutes."
"They've got potency all around, you look at (Will Genia, Quade Cooper and Digby Ioane) and obviously Luke Morahan as well, throw him into the mix, and even if they pick Rod Davies as well he's got some absolute jets too."
"So we know they've got a potent backline but with obviously 'Link' (Ewen McKenzie) as coach they've been muscling up in their trials a fair bit as well with two good wins, so we know they're coming at us."
The Wallabies vice-captain featured at flyhalf in his first two trial hit-outs against Fiji and the Brumbies and is widely tipped to wear the No.10 jersey against the Reds.
He will be joined in the midfield by either Kurtley Beale or Daniel Halangahu as the Waratahs look to employ dual playmakers this season.
But Barnes was giving very little away when asked exactly where he will line-up in the backline, insisting he is equally happy at both first and second receiver.
"It hasn't been confirmed yet, obviously we'll wait on selection which will come in the next couple of days," he said of his role in the side.
"It doesn't worry me what number I wear on my back, I couldn't care if it's 35. It's all about what you do out there and your performance."
"Obviously fans and other people like to see what numbers are on people's backs and all that sort of jazz but realistically as a player you're out there to do a job and that's to try and get the four points for your team, so that's what we'll be doing."
Meanwhile, coach Chris Hickey admits the arrival of Barnes is a major boost as the Waratahs prepare to resume the quest for an elusive Super 14 title.
"When I look at Berrick I see a pretty complete player," Hickey said.
"His attacking skills are probably the obvious skills that people see but I think defensively he reads the defence very well and he's also got a strong kicking game."
"So I think if you wrote a job description he'd tick off most of the boxes that you're looking for in that regard."
The Waratahs will name an extended squad on Wednesday, with lock Will Caldwell, centre Rob Horne and new recruit Drew Mitchell all in doubt for the clash with hamstring complaints.