Reds captain Samu Kerevei has welcomed Sefa Naivalu's move into the centres, saying the Wallaby back needs to become more involved in the game if Queensland are to overcome the Stormers at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
Kerevi will move to inside centre for the match against the Stormers, with Naivalu, who has played his first six games for the Reds on the wing, to wear the no.13.
It gives the Reds a pair of big bodies in the midfield, with Naivalu's shift as much a defensive move to combat the massive Stormers side, as it is to capitalise on his attacking ability.
"He's really strong in defence as well," Kerevi said.
"I've defended a lot with him through the Wallabies at 13 and 14, so knowing that defensively he's really sound there, that's probably the more important part of him moving there."
Regardless of whether he has the ball in his hands, Naivalu will be more involved in the game, something Kerevi welcomed.
"I think it's really important," Kerevi said.
"Having attacking threats across the boards is really important for us, not just one main ball carrier, so having him there and (wingers) Filipo (Daugunu) and (Jack) Hardy and the width there, it'll be good for us for the whole attacking structure to have threats everywhere.
"Sefa's been playing really well, so him moving closer to the middle section there, we can get him more ball," he said.
"And that's what I'm looking to do, just feed him the ball and get him going and still let the guys out wide get some ball as well."
The Reds are gradually working out how to involve their new teammate in the game more and Naivalu has responded in the past few weeks, generating attack that has led to points for Queensland.
But the plan will not just be to fling the ball wide.
After putting together three strong halves of football for back-to-back wins, the Reds were impatient at times against the Rebels, who were able to frustrate their out of their game plans.
Kerevei knows his side needs to be smarter against the Stormers in a game that is crucial to the Reds' season ahead of their South African tour.
"Probably holding the ball more than anything (is important), our possession and making sure that we're playing in the right parts of the field," Kerevi said of the need to keep the Stormers' big men on the move.
"I know last week we probably didn't play in the right parts too well.
"So this week, holding on to the pill, making them defend for long periods of time.
"They have a similar defence to Melbourne, pretty strong and quick off the line, so it's just making sure that we go forward first before we earn the right to go wide."
The Reds take on the Stormers at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, April 5, kicking off at 7pm local, (8pm AEDT), broadcast LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
