Jake McIntyre has used the rugby brain of Quade Cooper to push his game to the next level.
The 22-year-old will get his first start at flyhalf against the Jaguares with Cooper serving the first of his three match ban and Nick Stiles has already lauded his development in the last 12 months.
Speaking from Buenos Aires, McIntyre feels he has grown as player since Cooper returned to Ballymore.
"I think it's definitely pushed me to the next level," he said.
"Obviously starting last year, I learned a lot about my own game and what I need to improve on and Quade coming back has pushed me to be a better player.
"I think it's starting to bring the best out of me."
Queensland's attacking setup has shifted since Cooper took the reigns but McIntyre said he is comfortable resuming the chief playmaking role.
"Our game plan and our structures won't change at all," he said.
"Quade and I look at the game pretty similar, with a very attacking mindset, so that bit won't change.
"Obviously our skill sets are a bit different but we all bring our own strengths to the game."
The Reds rank about average in carries, line breaks, tackle busts and offloads, indications they are yet to unlock their full attacking potential in 2017.
McIntyre does not have the flashy skill set of Cooper but he is a well-rounded, cool-headed type that hopes to address the areas the attack has faltered against the Jaguares.
"We spoke about the Lions game and the biggest problem with our attack was our patience," he said.
"We didn't let our game plan unfold and I guess we have gone back to the drawing board and look where we went wrong.
"It's a real simple fix for us, it's not a skill error it's more a mindset - we've talked about it and now we've got to put together a better performance on the weekend."
