In a sign of just how far he has come since his now infamous pre-season arrest, Quade Cooper has been championed for his maturity ahead of the ill-disciplined Queensland Reds' crunch Saturday night clash with the Bulls.

While Queensland have surged to fifth on the Super 14 ladder and remained on track for their first finals berth since 2001, Reds skipper Will Genia on Tuesday lamented their six yellow cards for the season - the most by any team in the competition.

And Genia did not have to be reminded that they would be punished for any breach by defending champions the Bulls' sharp shooter Morne Steyn at Suncorp Stadium this weekend.

Yet Genia could only smile when the inevitable topic of Cooper came up ahead of what may well be a season-defining clash.

Cooper provided another compelling case for the Wallabies No.10 jersey with a sublime display in Queensland's tour-ending 41-26 win over the Lions in Johannesburg last weekend.

With a July court appearance on burglary charges hanging over his head, Cooper has emerged as a different person - and player - this season, according to Genia.

"Why has he gone up another level this season - he has matured as a person," Genia said in Brisbane on Tuesday.

"He has learned how to control a game for the full 80 minutes.

"He has become more of a leader amongst the side.

"Before the game and during the week he is having a word with blokes about certain things they can do to improve their game - that has helped him as a player."

Cooper has adhered to his anti-grog policy so well that he has become the team's designated driver after wins.

But Cooper's influence can clearly only do so much - Genia was concerned with their yellow card tally ahead of the crucial clash against a side he rated the best in the competition.

"Discipline has been a massive down side for us at the moment - (and) any penalty within the 50m line is three points," he said.

"But we do know that if we give away penalties it will play to their strengths, whether they kick for three points or kick to the corner and use their driving maul.

"It is something we are looking forward to rectifying this weekend."

While exited about their two wins from three games on their recent South African tour, Genia admitted the Reds weren't getting too carried away with their ladder position - whatever it may be.

"I think we are fifth, I am not too sure," Genia said.

"For us it is not really where we are sitting on the ladder - it is about improving and wanting to be a better side.

"(Coach) Ewen McKenzie has been really good in putting us in our place.

"We are starting to play good footy but it is about building consistency, we don't want to look too far ahead."

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