Finals inexperience won't be a factor in Queensland's Super Rugby title charge due to the Reds' success and composure in "life or death" battles.

That's the firmly held view of Reds coach Ewen McKenzie who took NSW to three play-off series and two deciders in his five seasons at the Waratahs.

McKenzie says the old adage a team must play in finals before they can win a competition does not apply to his rising table-toppers who produce their best in high-stakes encounters.

Queensland, having already booked a home semi-final on July 2, can seal top spot on the ladder on Saturday by spoiling Chiefs captain Mils Muliaina's farewell in their last-round clash in Hamilton.

A significant part of their success has been the ability to come from behind and close out tight matches, as well as a penchant for the blockbuster clashes.

Indeed, the Reds are unbeaten this season against the other teams in the top six and have also held their nerve to win tense derbies against NSW, the Brumbies and Force (twice).

Their ice-cool ability to handle finals-like intensity was best shown by their 19-6 upset of the Stormers in Cape Town and their epic 17-16 comeback against the Crusaders - both in front of 50,000-plus crowds.

"You can only get (finals experience) by being in the finals but it also depends on the games you have along the way too," McKenzie told AAP.

"The Crusaders game was a big game and the Stormers game was a big game away and they're all very important games in front of big crowds and at the time they feel like life or death struggles.

"When you're going in they feel like Test matches and there's a lot on the line - these are must-win type scenarios and in that sense it does prepare you."

McKenzie took the Waratahs to the 2005 and 2008 finals but both times they were unable to upset the Crusaders in Christchurch.

The desire to finish No.1 and also continue their winning roll won't mean the injury-hit Reds will rest troops for the play-offs.

The second-placed Stormers (58) can still steal top spot by passing, or drawing level, to a beaten Queensland (62) with a last-round win over the Cheetahs.

The South African conference leaders have a superior points for-and-against differential, which is the secondary tie-breaker behind most wins, which counts out the Crusaders (57) who are two victories behind the Reds.

Queensland's wing crisis looks to have eased slightly with Rod Davies' shoulder injury recovering well to have him in line for selection against All Blacks back three Muliaina, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga.

Digby Ioane will undergo neurological tests on Tuesday but McKenzie is less confident of having the Wallabies flyer back a fortnight after being heavily concussed against the Brumbies.

With five other outside backs already injured or on Australia U20 duties, Brisbane club stalwart Ant Sauer and former Test centre Steve Kefu are in the mix to sit on the bench in Hamilton.

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