Target on Blyth's head in first Tahs game against former Reds teammates

The message was delivered with a wry smile, but the sentiment remains the same as the Queensland Reds target turncoat lock Angus Blyth in a spicy Super Rugby Pacific season opener in Sydney.

Six years after having “REDS” shaved into the back of his head for the Super Rugby AU final against the Brumbies, Blyth will line up for his NSW Waratahs debut against his former side at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

Queensland captain Fraser McReight is promising Blyth a hostile reception from his ex-teammates after putting a bounty on the 27-year-old’s head.

“Whoever can get him, mate. Doesn’t matter to me who gets him first but as long as he gets get,” McReight said when asked who had first shot on the Reds’ defector.

Former Wallabies World Cup finalist, Reds and Waratahs star and proud Queenslander Wendell Sailor had already lit the fuse for an explosive derby, declaring NSW firebrand Miles Amatosero would obviously be baited following his pre-season antics.

Amatosero is returning from a two-game suspension for laying into teammate Angus Scott-Young in an infamous training bust-up last month.

The 23-year-old was initially banned for four matches before his punishment for landing three punches to Scott-Young’s head was slashed in half after he met counselling requirements.

Amatosero wasn’t even allowed at the Waratahs’ training base in Daceyville during his suspension and Sailor is convinced the Reds will try to get under the skin of the volatile talent.

“Like all firebrands in any sort of code, you’ve got to try and bait them,” the dual international told AAP.

“It adds to the spice of the game and I know in the dressing rooms, you talk about it.

“I remember us all saying, ‘You’ve got to get into him early’, because he’ll be all fired up and it’s one of those things where you’ve got to use all your tools to make sure you try and get the upper hand.

“Because it could be a one-point or three-point game and that may be the difference.”

Both sides have new captains, with McReight taking over from Tate McDermott this season and Matt Philip replacing  long-term NSW leader Jake Gordon in somewhat of a fairytale for the Sydney-born 31-year-old.

The Sydney University product has never even played a Super Rugby game for the Tahs.

Philip, the quintessential rugby journeyman, boasts 31 Test caps for the Wallabies while plying his trade at a raft of different clubs in New Zealand, France and in Australia with Perth, Melbourne and the Sydney Stars.

“First Super Rugby game for the Waratahs, not taking it lightly,” Philip said.

“I’m proud to have finally got to this stage in my career. Took a long time, (I’m) nearly 32, but very happy to be here.

“But this is where the work really begins now, so there’s a lot of responsibility that comes along with that.

“I’ve watched many games (while) younger from the stands, even last year when I came back from Japan, so it’s pretty cool.

“I know what a big achievement it is.”