Queensland skipper James Horwill believes his forwards can emerge from the shadows of their backline by overcoming the Crusaders' pack on Sunday.

The Reds forwards have largely been unsung heroes for Super Rugby's front-runners this season but can make a name for themselves by laying the platform for a 12th straight win at Suncorp Stadium.

Wallabies lock Horwill justifiably rates the Crusaders' forwards, led by All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw, the benchmark pack in the competition.

He felt a Reds win over the seven-time champions and competition favourites would surely build Queensland's up-front reputation.

"The Crusaders have proven that they are the standard-bearers," said Horwill, who hasn't minded halves Quade Cooper and Will Genia receiving most plaudits.

"It's always a big test.

"They've been the stand-out pack as an eight probably all year and we've got to make sure across the board, not only in the set piece, we get it right so we can give the backs clean ball.

"We have to make sure we outwork them."

On top of the world's best No.10 Dan Carter guiding the Cantabrians around the park and Sonny Bill Williams bashing and bewildering defenders at inside centre, the injury-hit Crusaders are still littered with game-breaking All Blacks.

Captain McCaw, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn and the front-row Franks brothers are the nucleus of a pack which plays at the highest quality in all conditions and also boasts the best scrum in the competition.

The Crusaders scrum destroyed the highly-fancied Sharks all-Springbok front-row in Twickenham on March 28 and also put the screws on the Chiefs to turn Saturday's Napier clash in their favour.

It's an area of concern for Queensland after their colours were lowered by the Blues 10 days ago and veteran scrum coach Alec Evans used the Reds' bye week to whip his pack back into shape.

"Around the field we've been doing good things but we have to tighten up the little things in the scrum and that will go a long way to helping," Horwill said.

Williams must pass a fitness test on his injured knee but is expected to return for a blockbuster clash which is set to break the Australian Super Rugby crowd record of 42,237 - set at Suncorp in 2004.

Two more All Blacks - lock Sam Whitelock (ankle) and halfback Andy Ellis (hand) - are also in the mix for comebacks to further boost the fourth-placed Crusaders.

Even if they don't make it, the Reds are braced for their toughest match of the season.

"I don't think there's ever a good time to play the Crusaders," Horwill said.

"I'm pretty sure they'll come out firing and they'll be at their best on the weekend."

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