They have lost a lot this season - but at least Super 14 battlers the Queensland Reds haven't lost their sense of humour.

After a 2-7 season start compounded by a woeful 31-20 last round loss to the lowly Lions, Reds coach Phil Mooney would be forgiven for either laughing or crying about his side's predicament.

Probably for his sanity's sake, he has opted for the former as he prepares for a daunting trip to Auckland to take on the Blues on Saturday night.

Queensland have not beaten the Blues (5th; 5-4 record) in Auckland since Super rugby started in 1996.

But Mooney quipped that the Reds could treat the match as a home game considering their growing Kiwi contingent.

The addition of Poutasi Luafutu for injured All Blanks flanker Daniel Braid boosts the Reds' New Zealand-born player ranks up to eight.

"A lot of our players enjoy going to Auckland as they get to catch up with family," Mooney laughed.

But of course Mooney quickly became deadly serious about the task at hand.

"Having said that, we've got a massive challenge as (the Blues) are a great side," he said.

Mooney assured reporters on Tuesday that the Reds had finally mapped out a strategy to get their season back on track.

"(After) last Saturday (loss to the Lions)...we needed to look at how we were doing things and we've certainly done that," he said.

"The good thing is there has been good, collective resolve."

He names his team on Wednesday.

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