Queensland's dreadful Super 14 start cost Reds skipper John Roe his job.

Back-rower Roe relinquished the Queensland captaincy to halfback Sam Cordingley in a stunning bid to turn around the Reds' fortunes after a 1-3 start.

Coach Phil Mooney made the "extremely difficult decision" to get more out of the highly-regarded 101-game veteran.

Mooney, who first coached the 30-year-old 12 years ago, said four seasons as leader and first-rate team man for the competition battlers had seen Roe bear a huge load.

"I've known him for a long time and I reckon the last couple of years he's been captain has been pretty trying times for the team and he's emotionally carried the team in that period," Mooney told AAP.

"I think that has affected his recent performance.

"We've agreed it allows him to concentrate on producing week, in week out.

"It's a mark of the man that for Roey it's all about the team. He embodies the team and you can't help but admire him."

The Reds' ineffectual back-row bore the brunt of criticism after Saturday night's 34-16 loss to the free-running Stormers at Suncorp Stadium.

Mooney has already shown reputations counted for little at the selection table, but he denied the captaincy handover had been prompted by a need to bench the former Test player.

Roe is set to start against the Bulls on Saturday night but the Reds are looking at adding an extra back-rower to their bench to ensure more impact around the breakdown.

"Phil and I discussed it this morning and agreed that a change of leadership was in the best interests of the team," Roe said in a QRU statement.

"It has been a great honour to captain Queensland and I look forward to continuing to serve the team and Queensland rugby in whatever capacity I can."

Roe took over as skipper in bizarre circumstance in April 2005 when Elton Flatley was forced to retire and stand-in captain Nathan Sharpe announced he was leaving the side.

The Reds are set to announce their team for Saturday night's clash on Tuesday with exciting youngster Quade Cooper set to return to the starting team in the place of centre Morgan Turinui.

Wallabies World Cup tourist Cordingley led the Reds for the first time in their pre-season trial match against the Blues in January.

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