Ben Tapuai scored two tries against New South Wales © Getty Images

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Queensland Reds must focus for 80 minutes each week if they are to challenge for the Super Rugby title, Will Genia says.

Genia is sidelined until at least round five of the tournament after undergoing knee surgery in September 2012, but he has been an interested observer as the Reds lost to the Brumbies in round one then suffered a fright before defeating New South Wales in round two.

The Reds led the Waratahs 17-3 after just 15 minutes at Suncorp Stadium, scoring two tries and looking set to run away with the game. But the Waratahs worked their back into the game, levelling the scores after 59 minutes and looking likely, at that stage, to win bragging rights over their interstate rivals.

Queensland recovered the momentum to win with a penalty goal from Mike Harris and a try from Ben Tapuai in the final 11 minutes, but Genia said they had to learn the lesson of what happens if a team fails to grasp every opportunity.

We started off really, really well, and it would have been good, I guess, to put the game to bed earlier on," Genia said on Wallabies duty at a function to commence the 100-day countdown to the British and Irish Lions tour.

"But we showed a lot of character and composure to stay in there when the momentum really looked like it had shifted towards them.

"If you're up 17-3, you can chance your arm a little bit more and try to put the game to bed. I think we probably started to coast a little bit, being that far ahead. If you do that against good sides they'll definitely come back and take the game from you. We've got to address that."

Will Genia, meanwhile, said that he remained on target to return to the field in round five. But he said he was mindful of the risk of pushing too hard too soon in a bid to prove his fitness to play for the Wallabies against the Lions.

"The whole rehab process has gone smoothly," Genia said.

"But I've still got a few boxes to tick.

"It's really important not to rush. Not just for the Lions but in terms of my well-being as a player moving forward. Worst thing you can do is rush back: if it feels right, I'll play; if it doesn't I'll give it a few more weeks."