Retiring Queensland diehard Sean Hardman isn't about to give up on the dream of a fairytale finish even though the battle-scarred Reds must defy injuries and logic in the final round of the Super 14.

Record-breaking Hardman, 33, is set to play his 148th and last match for his state after becoming one of five starting changes for Saturday night's clash with the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium.

Saia Faingaa's neck injury has opened the way for the veteran hooker to start while centre Anthony Faingaa (shoulder), prop Ben Daley (bicep) and winger Rod Davies (hamstring) have also been ruled out.

The massive blows leave the young Reds vulnerable to an upset loss to the abrasive Highlanders who will like their chances of overpowering an under-strength pack.

With departing trio Daniel Braid (knee), Adam Byrnes (ankle) and Laurie Weeks (foot) unable to recover to make their own Reds swansongs, Queensland possess just three of their regular starting forwards.

The seventh-placed Reds need a miracle to make the semi-finals through a Brumbies-Crusaders draw in Christchurch and their own 30-plus win over the Highlanders.

But Hardman still dares to dream.

"Absolutely, that would be a great result," he said on Thursday.

"To be honest this weekend the boys will really step up. There's a few changes and a few opportunities so anything can happen.

"The reality is we are relying on other people to come good for us and we can only worry about us at the moment so we'll shoot for the win and see what happens after that."

Saia Faingaa's rise has restricted Hardman to just two previous starts in his 12th Super rugby season, the best the Reds have seen since 2002.

"It's probably been a few games since I got a run-on (start), a home game and a great way to finish with my family and friends around so I can't ask much more than that," he said.

"I know we don't win games on emotion but the boys have really been pumping my tyres this week.

"I think this year has really proven that my decision to go round one more year has really paid off."

Versatile back-up half Ben Lucas will play fullback in his first start of the year, forcing Wallabies flyer Peter Hynes back on to the wing.

Coach Ewen McKenzie has again punted on youth by promoting centre Ben Tapuai, flanker Jake Schatz and prop James Slipper to start while back-rower Ed Quirk will make his debut off the bench.

The 13th-placed Highlanders have named a similar side to that which upset the Waratahs a fortnight ago before having their bubble burst with a 31-3 loss to the Brumbies.

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