Much will depend on the performance of Quade Cooper in Christchurch © Getty Images

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Queensland Reds will head to Christchurch quietly confident they can defeat the Crusaders in for their Super Rugby qualifying final at AMI Stadium, director of coaching Ewen McKenzie says. The sides didn't meet in the regular season but Queensland have won three of their four clashes under McKenzie, winning the 2011 Super Rugby final but losing in Christchurch 16-11 in round 11 last year.

"We've probably had as good a record as anyone against them in recent times, but they're pretty hard to beat there at home so it makes for a really interesting challenge for us," McKenzie said after the 14-12 win against New South Wales Waratahs that rounded out their home-and-away campaign at ANZ Stadium in Sydney. "But we've been able to find a way in the past so we'll go there with some confidence."

Stand-in skipper James Slipper said after the Reds secured fifth spot with their victory over the Waratahs: "You've got to back yourself, especially at this time of the year. Our record [against the Crusaders] does speak for itself. It's always a tough game, though. It's always a tight game, and it's a healthy history, so it's going to be a tough match. I've actually never beaten them over there so it's going to be something I'm motivated for."

McKenzie conceded his side had not performed to their best against Waratahs but said they would still take momentum into the fixture against the Crusaders.

"In the end we won the game," he said. "There was some torrid stuff out there. I'm sure both teams would have loved more attractive and clinical efforts on both sides. I think the intent was there, but it didn't quite transpire as the game went on. The ball got a little bit slippery and there were errors, but there were some good bits and pieces in amongst it. It's better to go into the finals with a win than a loss, so that sort of momentum's good. We came to the game today and I don't think many people tipped us to win - the bookmakers certainly didn't - so we're pleased to come out with the win."

Rod Davies sustained a serious knee injury against New South Wales Waratahs © Getty Images

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McKenzie noted that Rod Davies would not be available to face the Crusaders after sustaining a serious knee injury against the Waratahs, and Mike Harris was also in severe doubt with a hamstring problem. "I'm not quite sure exactly what it is but you're looking at a three-to-four-month [lay-off] minimum, I'd say," he said of Davies. "It looks like possibly a grade-one hamstring [strain for Harris] if you're going to define it. I don't think it's bad but whether he'll be able to play next week is probably doubtful."

McKenzie also played down the significance of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw's possible return from a seven-month sabbatical, saying "he might be on the bench, maybe".

"There's a bunch of guys there that have been plugging away and doing the work to get them to where they are on the ladder, so I'm not sure they need to rush anything there, but maybe he might appear as an impact player."

Play-off schedule

Week 1:

Saturday, July 20
(4) Crusaders v (5) Reds
AMI Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand
Kick-off (1935 local, 1735 NSW/ACT, 0935 SAT, 0735 GMT)

Sunday, July 21
(3) Brumbies v (6) Cheetahs
Canberra Stadium, Canberra, Australia
Kick-off (1610 local, 1810 NZT, 0810 SAT, 0610 GMT)

Week 2 - July 26/27:

(2) Bulls v Highest-ranked winner from Week 1
(1) Chiefs v Other winner from Week 1

Week 3 - August 3:
Winner of semi-final with highest ranking v other winning semi-finalist

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