His Queensland Reds are battered, bruised and, in some cases, broken but coach Ewen McKenzie is refusing to moan ahead of Friday night's Super Rugby blockbuster with the Blues.

He has neither the time nor the inclination.

McKenzie will be too busy this week trying to assemble another winning line-up for the top-of-the-table clash after the Reds surged back into second spot with a brutal 33-18 victory over the Melbourne Rebels.

Centre Mike Harris (knee) is a certain scratching, winger Luke Morahan and halfback Ben Lucas are both awaiting scans on Monday after suffering shoulder injuries and prop Greg Holmes (infected elbow) is also in extreme doubt.

"So potentially we'll have a few changes. We'll know more tomorrow," McKenzie told AAP on Sunday.

"But we're no different to any other side. It's happening across the board where everyone is losing players in key positions.

"We've used as many players as everyone else has. But if you get an injury, you just get the next guy in and back them to do the job.

"We've got some good young guys coming through."

McKenzie is taking comfort in the fact Queensland (9-2) will attempt to overcome the competition leading Blues (9-1-1) at what is fast becoming Fortress Suncorp Stadium.

The Reds have won the past nine matches they've played in Brisbane and a 10th straight win this week would be pivotal heading into the final five rounds.

"I don't think anyone would have expected this (top-of-the-table) match a year or two back, so it's nice to be fighting those sort of battles," McKenzie said.

"Even better that we're getting to do it in front of our home crowd.

"Every game is worth the same amount of points but, in a way when you play teams that are around you on the ladder, it's almost like a double result.

"So, yeah, this is an important game, we like playing at home, our crowd numbers have become very healthy and we want to make sure we do the right thing."

McKenzie credited the Auckland-based Blues, who boast a big, powerful pack led by All Blacks Keven Mealamu, Jerome Kaino and Ali Williams and an enterprising backline featuring Rene Ranger and Joe Rokocoko, with having their "traditional strengths".

"They're good at moving the ball around, they've got a lot of strike players across the park and they use the width of the field.

"They've got a lot of experience in key positions. They're a good all-round team.

"We've been able to rise to the occasion in the big games in the last 18 months, so I'm sure we'll be pretty focused."

The Blues are sitting on 47 points, ahead of the Reds (45), while the Crusaders (44) climbed above the Stormers (43) into third position with a thrilling 20-14 win over last year's runners-up in Cape Town.

The Sharks (39) are fifth after finishing over the top of the beleaguered Brumbies 34-16 in Durban, with the NSW Waratahs (36) rounding out the top six following their 20-15 win over the Western Force.

The Highlanders (35) slipped to seventh with a 20-7 loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton, with the two-time defending champion Bulls (31) eighth after a bye and the only other side with realistic finals hopes.

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