The heat is on league convert Will Chambers to rediscover his mojo after he was dumped from the Queensland Reds squad and replaced by a rookie chosen out of position.

The former Melbourne Storm centre is out of the Reds' 22 altogether after a disappointing start to the Super Rugby season, which has opened the door for Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie to reward Ben Tapuai.

Tapuai, predominantly an inside centre whose Queensland Academy form was "irresistible" to McKenzie, will wear the Reds' No.13 jersey against the Melbourne Rebels on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium.

Seen as a legitimate Wallabies World Cup prospect after an eye-catching debut season in 2010, Chambers now faces a massive challenge after struggling with his recovery from a shoulder reconstruction.

McKenzie stressed the surprise demotion was more due to Tapuai's efforts but Chambers is under no illusions he must improve significantly to win back his starting berth.

The 101kg powerhouse has seen little ball in the Reds' scratchy first three matches which started embarrassingly with a botched try over the line against the Western Force.

"His confidence coming back from the shoulder has been slower than we thought and slower than he thought, coupled with the games haven't flowed as much so he hasn't been able to show his wares," McKenzie said.

"But it's more about Tapuai doing well and us rewarding that than Will going bad.

"It's time for Will to take stock and I expect him to fight back really well.

"There's a real resolve from him there."

Rubbing extra salt into the wounds, Chambers was overlooked for a place on the bench as McKenzie opted for an extra forward and then the added versatility of speedster Luke Morahan.

For Tapuai, who scored with his first touch of the ball in Super Rugby when he came off the bench in Christchurch in 2009, his first start is also a reward for sticking with the Reds.

Brisbane born but Melbourne raised, the 22-year-old was targeted by the Rebels' recruitment machine last year.

"It was tempting to go back home just to be close to mum and dad but the Queensland Reds have been good to me," Tapuai told AAP.

"They gave me a couple of chances last year off the bench and it was just commonsense to stay.

"I've got a shot this weekend and I'm glad I stayed."

Ironically, Tapuai has also had to overcome shoulder surgery after struggling with his defence last year but has convinced McKenzie he's turned a weakness into a strength.

"I've worked very hard in the pre-season and got physically right as my tackling was my weakness last year," he said.

In the other change to the side that beat the Brumbies 31-25 in round three, lock Adam Wallace-Harrison took the place of Van Humphries, who has ruled out of the upcoming trip to South Africa with a thumb fracture.

X-factor Radike Samo has overcome his own broken finger and will return from the bench after captain James Horwill was expectedly given an extra week to overcome his ankle injury.

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