Flyer Luke Morahan reckons Queensland's lofty Super Rugby standing counts for little unless the Reds can end a seven-year drought against NSW to claim the mantle as Australia's premier team.

Try-machine Morahan is desperate to end a week of celebrations with another high on Saturday night when the Reds bid for a record seventh straight win at Suncorp Stadium.

The former sevens star turned 21 last week and promptly celebrated with a two-try display against the Bulls before signing a new two-year deal with the Reds on Thursday.

The competition pace-setters have not lost since round two when they were comprehensively outplayed by the Waratahs.

Morahan says that 30-6 loss really hurt and must be avenged before Queensland can be rated No.1.

"I think it does," he said on Thursday. "They've been the form side for the last decade in Australian rugby so to get a win would be a great positive for us.

"It's definitely in the back of your head, you really want to beat them, you really want to be the top province in Australia."

The home-grown Queenslander - who'll move from fullback to wing on Saturday with Rod Davies (knee) ruled out of the grudge match - isn't the only Red to feel a first interstate win since 2004 is long overdue.

Long-time former Brumbies prop Guy Shepherdson, selected for his run-on Reds debut in the place of injured tight-head James Slipper (collarbone), stresses that NSW have yet to pass the baton.

"They've been doing better than most teams for a long while - we've had a good season but they certainly cleaned us up last time," Shepherdson told AAP.

Slipper and Davies' injuries during the 39-30 win over the defending champion Bulls have been offset by the quality of the Reds replacements.

Former Wallabies prop Shepherdson played 71 Super games for the Brumbies before Queensland offered him a lifeline last year while fullback Ben Lucas impressed in his return from a groin injury with an energetic cameo off the bench last week.

Lucas's return sees Morahan, who has notched four tries in as many games since cracking the Reds squad, move from No.15 to the wing to mark the equally in-form Drew Mitchell.

Morahan, who was heavily courted by the cashed-up Melbourne Rebels, conceded it was a tough decision, particularly when he had been overlooked for selection.

"It was pretty difficult, the Rebels have a lot of good positives about them but at the end of the day I really love the Reds and staying here was the right decision," he said.

A brilliant attacking player who toured with the Wallabies in the 2009 and 2010, Morahan freely admits he struggled to measure up in defence until recently.

"I wasn't up to the challenge last year, so there was a few things I had to work on and hopefully that period is past me," he said.

While the Reds have retained skipper James Horwill and Morahan in the past week, the Waratahs have lost two key players, including halfback Luke Burgess who has confirmed signing with French club Toulouse.

Burgess's post-World Cup departure follows Tahs playmaker Kurtley Beale's announcement that he would play for the Rebels in 2012.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP