At first glance, no-nonsense Queensland Reds coach Ewen McKenzie does not look like a breakdancing fan.

But the poker-faced former Wallabies prop admitted he enjoyed watching Reds charge Digby Ioane busting a move - despite sparking Super Rugby post-try celebrations that some critics have called disrespectful.

One week after Ioane's impressive "turtle" dance try celebration went viral on the internet, Blues winger Rene Ranger produced a lighthearted replica during his team's win over the Melbourne Rebels, with teammates grabbing his legs to help spin him around.

Blues halfback Alby Mathewson later revealed they had practised it at the captain's run the previous day.

And Quade Cooper did his best to upstage his Reds teammate with some acrobatics after a critical try in their gutsy 19-15 win over the Waratahs last weekend.

Indeed Ioane could be seen cheering Cooper on as he launched into a post-try cartwheel and backflip.

Up just 13-9, Queensland's celebrations seemed premature - and bordered on insulting, according to some fan forum websites.

But the supposedly conservative McKenzie had no problem with his team's antics.

He could even afford to make light of Cooper's celebration.

"There was only one try on the weekend so lucky we celebrated it because there weren't any others," McKenzie laughed.

But he added: "To be honest the fact I am being asked shows people are interested. People have an opinion about it.

"To me it is part of the theatre of the night.

"Digby's effort had 100,000 YouTube hits in two days. It is a promotion of the game.

"You have to find a way to make the game interesting.

"It didn't happen in my day but it doesn't mean it doesn't have to happen now.

"I don't worry about it. I talk to the players about getting ready for the kick-off. Once all the theatrics are over it's off to the kick-off and back to business.

"It is a couple of moments in time. We move on. I don't think it is going to become a habit."

That remains to be seen judging by Ranger's effort.

But it's not just rival players watching the Reds' every move.

Mick Malthouse, coach of AFL premiers Collingwood, paid tribute to the Reds following his team's 30-point Anzac Day win over Essendon.

Malthouse said he used Queensland's courageous second half defensive effort against NSW, when under siege on their tryline, as an example of the commitment the Magpies needed to prevail against the Bombers.

"Mick is a bit of a closet rugby fan," McKenzie said.

"I met him a few years back when I was Waratahs coach and he admitted he watches it.

"So it was no surprise to me that he was watching the game.

"He obviously drew a bit of inspiration out of the Reds defence which is good.

"He is a good coach and looks a bit wider than just AFL for his inspiration."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP