Emotional Queensland backrower Jake Schatz had to overcome the heartache of losing his mother Allison to breast cancer to be a part of a significant Reds triumph on Sunday.

While not as painful as her passing last week, the huge challenges will continue for Schatz for the remainder of the Super Rugby season as the 20-year-old looms as the replacement for injured flanker Beau Robinson.

The tireless Robinson, a Reds revelation at No.7, dislocated his elbow in the second half of Queensland's gripping 17-16 victory over the Crusaders and could miss the play-offs.

Robinson will undergo scans on Monday to determine the extent of bone damage but he is certain to miss next Saturday night's home clash with the Brumbies.

With specialist back-up Liam Gill a member of the Australia's Under-20 squad for the world championship in Italy, the versatile Schatz is the next cab off the rank.

Coach Ewen McKenzie described Robinson's injury as a huge blow and admitted there was no stand-out replacement.

But McKenzie was pleased with Schatz's effort off the bench in the final 31 minutes under trying conditions in front of a record crowd of 48,301 at Suncorp Stadium.

Allison Schatz passed away nine days earlier after her cancer was detected late and the Reds wore black arm bands in her honour after the squad attended Wednesday's funeral.

McKenzie admitted it had been a particularly tough time for the 2010 rookie of the year but he was desperate to play.

"I spoke to him Monday and he was pretty keen to be out there," the coach said. "It was good, you could see it in his face at the end, it was a pretty emotional week.

"I was pleased for him because it was an upbeat finish to what was a really difficult time for him and his family."

Apart from Gill, the Reds are also missing another No.7 candidate with Ed Quirk selected in the Under-20s squad that also contains Brumbies open-side flankers Colby Faingaa and Michael Hooper.

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