Queensland has resisted the chance to blood promising teenager Lloyd Johansson in this weekend's Super 12 match against the Stormers in Cape Town.

The powerfully built Gold Coast 19-year-old had been putting plenty of pressure on the experienced Steve Kefu for Queensland's inside centre spot.

Former Wallaby Kefu has been out of sorts this season and was replaced midway through the second half of last weekend's 23-16 loss to the Highlanders at Ballymore.

But Kefu has kept his spot for Saturday's match at Newlands with Reds coach Jeff Miller wary of the Stormers' Springbok centre pairing of De Wet Barry and Marius Joubert.

"It would be unfair to put him up against the Springbok centres for his Super 12 debut," Miller said of Johansson.

Johansson isn't even on the bench with Australian rugby's "I've Been Everywhere Man" Brock James chosen by the Reds for the first time.

An elbow injury has denied James a Reds call up previously this season but he gets his chance with Scott Daruda leading Australia at the under 19 World Cup in Durban.

Born in Geelong, James, 23, grew up AFL-mad Adelaide and from there represented Australia at under 16 level.

Offered a sports scholarship firstly at Sydney's Scots College and then Sydney University, James has played for Australia's Sevens side.

He came to the Reds after starring for Taranaki last year in New Zealand's tough National Provincial Championship.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP