Queensland captain Daniel Herbert would like his side to take three words into Friday night's clash against the Crusaders - possession, possession, possession.

The Reds have failed to respect it during their recent games and have paid the price when it seemed they had the better of their opposition. None were more painful than the final minute loss to Auckland two weeks ago and they can expect similar pain if they don't hold the ball in Christchurch against the defending Super 12 champions.

"Turnovers were really costly in that game so I hope we would control the ball a lot better this time," Herbert told AAP. "Most teams get tired of tackling so we have to hold the ball for longer but we know Canterbury don't mind doing the hard work."

The game is shaping as a turning point for the Reds who, although have managed seven points, can't afford too many more losses if they expect to play a role in the semi-finals.

They return home next week to meet the ACT Brumbies in Canberra before heading to South Africa for games against the Stormers and the Bulls.

"We would be very happy if we came away with three wins," Herbert said. "It was disappointing for us to lose our last two games but at the same time we have to remember that we've got seven points more than at the same time last season."

Wallaby captain John Eales is missing for the Reds due to an Achilles injury, but winger Ben Tune is a definite starter after passing a fitness test on an injured knee.

The Crusaders will be without some punch in the forward pack with Norm Maxwell, Reuben Thorne and Mark Hammett all succumbing to injury. All Black five-eighth Andrew Mehrtens again starts on the bench, but Queensland coach Mark McBain would not be surprised to see him run on at some stage of the game. Aaron Mauger has held off the challenge of Mehrtens with some excellent form.

"We just don't know what they will do but it doesn't matter from the point of view that Mauger has been playing pretty well," McBain said. "I wouldn't be surprised if Mehrtens started but the whole situation isn't really concerning me.

"We know they're a very good side and we have to beat them on their ground." The Reds did exactly that when they were last in Christchurch in 1999.

QUEENSLAND: Chris Latham, Ben Tune, Daniel Herbert (c), Steve Kefu, Damian Smith, Elton Flatley, Jacob Rauluni, Toutai Kefu, David Croft, Matt Cockbain, Nathan Sharpe, Mark Connors, Fletcher Dyson, Michael Foley, Nick Stiles. Res: Ben Wakely, Nathan Spooner, Nathan Williams, Scott Fava, John Roe, Glenn Panoho, Sean Hardman.

CRUSADERS: Leon MacDonald, Ben Blair, Caleb Ralph, Daryl Gibson, Afato So'oalo, Aaron Mauger, Justin Marshall, Brad Thorn, Scott Robertson, Sam Broomhall, Chris Jack, Todd Blackadder (capt), Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Greg Feek. Res: Ben Hurst, Andrew Mehrtens, Mark Robinson, Richard McCaw, Dallas Seymour, David Hewitt, Matt Sexton.