Berrick Barnes will be Queensland's back-up halfback against the Crusaders on Saturday night after Will Genia was ruled out of the rest of the Super 14.

Genia was to undergo exploratory surgery on a lingering ankle problem after injuring it a fortnight ago in the 32-20 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton.

With veteran halfback Sam Cordingley (calf) also sidelined and in doubt of returning this season, Reds coach Phil Mooney said inside centre Barnes would also cover the specialist position at Suncorp Stadium.

Impressive youngster Ben Lucas, who started the year as a five-eighth in the Queensland academy, is the only fit halfback in the Reds squad and will aim to play out the match against the Crusaders.

Former Brisbane Broncos utility Barnes has never played halfback in rugby before but his younger brother Jock is a No.9 for Brisbane club Wests and has trained in the position this year.

"He's trained there and the one thing that stands him in good stead is that he was a dummy-half in rugby league and they are similar roles," Mooney said.

"And he loves it. I wouldn't have a problem playing Berrick at halfback."

Speedster Brando Va'aulu, originally dropped after Wallabies fullback Chris Latham was named to start, has rejoined the bench.

Latham is one of four changes to the Reds squad after overcoming a knee ligament strain that has sidelined him for the last four weeks.

Goalkicker Clinton Schifcofske moves to the wing to make room for Latham, forcing the tackle-busting Digby Ioane back to the bench.

With former skipper John Roe out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury, versatile back-rower Tasi Luafutu has replaced Scott Higginbotham at blindside flanker.

Teenage prop Ben Daley, the son of former Kangaroos and Manly rugby league front-rower Phil Daley, is set to make his Super 14 debut off the bench following the one-week suspension of Rodney Blake.

Blake was on Tuesday night found guilty of a dangerous tackle on Blues flanker Daniel Braid in last Friday's 35-22 loss in Brisbane.

Queensland: Chris Latham, Clinton Schifcofske, Morgan Turinui, Berrick Barnes, Peter Hynes, Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas; Leroy Houston, David Croft, Poutasi Luafutu, James Horwill (capt), Van Humphries, Dayna Edwards, Stephen Moore, Ben Coutts. Res: Sean Hardman, Ben Daley, Ed O'Donoghue, Scott Higginbotham, Brando Va'aulu, Charlie Fetoai, Digby Ioane.

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