Sunnybank halfback Nic Berry says he's ready to grab the opportunity with both hands when he features in a Tooheys New Super 12 match for the first time on Saturday night.

Berry, 20, was expecting to play for the A team this weekend, but a season ending injury to Tim Atkinson means he's now very much part of the Bank of Queensland Reds squad for the Super 12 opener against the Hurricanes (8.10pm).

Indeed, with first choice half back Josh Valentine still in doubt Berry could yet start the game. A graduate of the Energex Reds Rugby College, Berry was Rookie of the Year in 2003 and last season finished runner-up in the XXXX Medal for Player of the Year in Telstra Premier Rugby. He made his Queensland debut as a replacement against Scotland in May.

"Last Wednesday against the Crusaders I wasn't even on the bench and was sitting up in the stand with some family and friends. First I saw Josh go down, then 40 minutes later it was Tim and all of a sudden Croftie was playing halfback. Life can certainly change very quickly," Berry said at Ballymore today.

"I thought I would be a bit more nervous than I am at the moment, but when you have been waiting for something and dreaming of something for so long the excitement just takes over.

"There's been a lot to take in this week, but the good thing is that I was training as part of the Reds squad from October right up to just before the Crusaders game. I know what's expected and I'll certainly cherish every moment I get.

"Josh is looking alright at the moment, but he hasn't been cleared to play yet which means that I have to prepare as though I'm starting. I'm pretty sure he'll be okay, but if I do get that chance then I'll grab it with both hands. The boys have tried to warn me what Super 12 football is like, saying it is much quicker than what I am used to, but I will just try to do my best and learn from experience I suppose," he said.

Valentine remains confident that he will play against the Hurricanes, but the season is definitely over for Atkinson who will undergo surgery on Monday after dislocating his shoulder against the Crusaders.

"I met with the surgeon last Friday and he told me I could, as many players have done, play out the season and the shoulder may pop out occasionally," he explained.

"It would be a bit painful, but a couple of weeks of rehabilitation, and I would be right to play again. The problem is that every time it pops out, the chances that it will happen again increase. And as a bench player, the risk to the team is too great.

"Bench players need to be 100% fit. Otherwise the team can be exposed and we could end up with a situation like we had in our last match when Josh Valentine came off injured and I went on to replace him, only to get injured myself.

"While I am disappointed about the injury, I have been through it before. I dislocated the same shoulder at the end of last season. The difference is, this time I will be opting for the operation. That will mean six weeks in a sling followed by a rehabilitation program. I'm hopeful to be back for a few games at the end of the season but we'll just have to see how things unfold," said Atkinson.

The Reds will have their final training run on Friday morning.