Queensland continued the guessing games for NSW before Saturday's Super 14 grudge match by keeping injured key forward Mark Connors in cotton wool.

Connors (groin) declared himself fit for the Suncorp Stadium clash but took little part in the Reds' final training session at Ballymore.

The lineout general and 122-game veteran sat out set-piece work and only participated by calling the lineouts from a sheet of paper for the young pack.

Standby lock James Horwill trained in Connors' place in the starting pack and will come into the 15 if he is ruled out, with Cameron Treloar to debut on the bench.

Coach Jeff Miller further raised suspicion when he said a decision on Connors' availability would be left until the pre-match warm-up.

"I'll warm up and see how we'll go, we've got the extra player there if necessary," said Connors.

"But I'm fit to go, I had a good run yesterday and was okay."

The loss of the 34-year-old lock would be a huge blow to Queensland as it would thrust two-game rookie Mitchell Chapman into the lineout calling role.

The cloak-and-dagger tactics follow the surprise selection of teenage league convert Berrick Barnes at flyhalf.

But Barnes has been tipped to have a strong game with his league pedigree ensuring he handles his Super 14 baptism of fire.

Reds captain John Roe and former league international Kevin Walters, Barnes' former assistant coach at the Broncos, are adamant the teenager will rise to the challenge.

Walters praised the convert's ball-playing skills but also warned former Bronco Wendell Sailor not to waste time targeting him in defence.

Reds defector Sailor has announced he's keen to lead the Waratahs charge in running directly at Barnes, as well as converted centres Elton Flatley and Julian Huxley.

"(Barnes) is a very strong defender and they are barking up the wrong tree if they think they are going to get results there," Walters said.

"He's got a very good technique and tackles very well.

"He's very brave. He will put his body on the line."

Roe expected Barnes' defensive courage, built up by two seasons of tackling drills against the likes of Shane Webcke and Petero Civoniceva, would shine through in the grudge match.

"At training he's very physical and a lot of respects we have to try and hold him back from contact and try and keep him composed because he's not going to shy away from that sort of stuff," the No.8 said.

Reds coach Jeff Miller stunned many with his selection of Barnes at five-eighth but the bold move is seen as a calculated risk designed to surprise the Waratah defence.

The 19-year-old is seen by some good judges in Brisbane as Stephen Larkham's long-term Test replacement.

Excited by his talents after nine NRL appearances last year, Walters feels Barnes will be an instant Super 14 success story.

"He will mark a real mark in rugby," he said. "It was really disappointing to see him leave the Broncos."

"It will be a big step for him but he will be more than capable of handling anything they throw at him and I'm sure he'll offer a bit back in return."

A modest Barnes has played down his obvious ball-playing and kicking talents and played up the support he'll receive from old heads Sam Cordingley and Elton Flatley around him.

Emotion on its own won't be enough for the Reds to upset last year's finalists as they need to ensure their set pieces are in order against the bigger, more experienced NSW forwards.

"We'll look to go wide and use our strengths. If our forward pack can hold their own we should be in good stead," Barnes said.

"We have a few things up our sleeve."

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