The Blues have likened Quade Cooper to his childhood hero Carlos Spencer but Queensland have no fears their mercurial playmaker will stumble under Saturday night's semi-final pressure.

In fact, Reds coach Ewen McKenzie believes the big stage brings out the best in Cooper who he expects to thrive against the Blues in the sudden-death tension at a packed-out Suncorp Stadium.

The Wallabies five-eighth holds the key for his side to book a home final by securing Queensland's maiden Super Rugby play-off victory.

New Zealand-born Cooper has modelled his skilful attacking game on that of Spencer, who guided the Blues to Super Rugby titles in 1996, 1997 and 2003.

But the former All Blacks magician is remembered in Australia just as much for the intercepted cut-out pass he threw to Stirling Mortlock in the 2003 World Cup semi-final loss to the Wallabies.

Critics have expected Cooper to wilt at some stage in the Reds' rise to the top but the 23-year-old has instead matured into a cool-headed No.10 who is closing the gap on New Zealand star Dan Carter as the best in the world.

Cooper has shown his penchant for pressure plays in 2011 by kicking clutch goals and setting up match-winning tries at the death.

"He likes the pressure," McKenzie told AAP. "That's his personality.

"He understands the big stage and he's played on it plenty of times already, and delivered.

"He's not afraid of the big stage and he likes to be challenged, that's probably why he's signed a one-year deal.

"With the maturing of his decision-making under pressure, he's got a good balance now and he knows when he can do things or do it a better way."

Blues coach Pat Lam saw plenty of Spencer in Cooper and complimented McKenzie for giving his X-factor player a license to express himself, which has rubbed off on the rest of the Reds outfit.

"It's a testament to Ewen," Lam said. "He's allowing him to do what he does and not trying to hold back the flamboyance.

"That breeds confidence if he's got the trust of his coach, peers and teammates.

"Then they go out and they're not playing out of fear."

Lam was forced into a staunch defence of his own No.10 on match eve with Stephen Brett waking up to local back page headlines claiming "He's The Weakest Link".

The Reds have admitted they will follow the NSW Waratahs' plans of targeting the defence and composure of the inconsistent Brett.

The Japan-bound five-eighth made crucial errors when the teams met six weeks ago, with a missed tackle and a charged down clearing kick leading to two Reds tries in their 37-31 win.

Costly lapses in the ensuing loss to the Stormers saw him dropped for one match but Lam said he'd bounced back well.

"The biggest thing he gives us is direction," the coach said. "He's our general, he drives our game.

"A lot's made of his mistakes but every player does them.

"What I want from a player is character and strength of mind and that's what he's shown in the last three to four weeks."

Both sides are predicting a running rugby spectacle like their eight-try classic in round 13 as the Blues hope to become the first team in 11 years to win a play-off on foreign soil.

Reds hooker Saia Fainga'a failed to train on Friday due to a stomach bug but isn't considered to be in doubt.

Meanwhile, the Blues have chosen Lachie Munro ahead of Rene Ranger to fill the contentious wing spot.

Lam chose the more conservative option although 2010 All Black Ranger's explosive game-breaking potential is sure to be introduced at some stage.

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