The Queensland Reds, aiming for their first professional Super Rugby title, are not perturbed they lack players accustomed to finals football or waving impressive trophies above their heads. As they prepare for Saturday night’s semi-final against the Auckland Blues in Brisbane, Reds coach Ewen McKenzie said it was not a big disadvantage that his players were foreign to finals football.

The last time the Reds appeared in a Super final was in 2001, when they were beaten by the Brumbies in the semi-final.

McKenzie, who has been involved in several finals campaigns when coaching the Waratahs, said lack of big-game experience could turn into a problem ”if you keep talking about it”.

”But we’ve played some big games this year, including against the Stormers in front of a big crowd on foreign soil, and we got through that. We played in front of our biggest crowd against the Crusaders and got through that.

”And we’ve had a few close games, such as against the Waratahs, which we managed to deal with. So I’m not stressed about that side of it. We’ve confronted big circumstances this year, and have come out of them OK.”

Also keeping the team at ease is that they have players accustomed to high-intensity Test football, such as the Wallabies halves pairing of Will Genia and Quade Cooper, as well as second-rower and skipper James Horwill.

”It is important that in key positions, as well as in decision-making and leadership, we have experienced players,” McKenzie said. ”Even our fringe players, such as Jono Lance, have been involved in the Sevens program and played in front of big crowds. So I don’t think the players will be worried about the occasion… it’s more about getting our game right.”

Then there’s the home ground factor. ”We enjoy playing at Suncorp Stadium. The guys talk about it. The crowd is very active, they really get involved in the game, and there is a fervour which is different to other rugby crowds I’ve come across in Australia. The players notice it and appreciate it. We also try to bring the crowd into the game. That’s why we’re really pleased to be playing at home.”

There were also some hints from last weekend’s Blues win over the Waratahs about what to expect from their opponents.”That game showed the Blues can adapt their tactics. They ran the ball far more than I thought they would. They don’t mind running out of their own quarter, which means they’re risk-takers. They chance their arm, but also know how to close the game down.”

While the Reds are strong favourites, their ability to easily win the Australian conference has had them enjoy an enormous off-field revival. A province that recently suffered from serious financial problems has succeeded in improving its revenue through a dramatic rise in home crowds.

The average attendance at Suncorp this season has been 29,436 – a 29 % increase from 22,827 in 2010.