Queensland will have Wallabies stars James Horwill and Will Genia back but are sweating on the fitness of defensive linchpin Anthony Faingaa for their Super Rugby elimination final against the Crusaders in Christchurch.

Centre Faingaa is battling a hamstring injury which forced him to become a late scratching from the Reds’ 14-12 final round win over NSW on Saturday night.

If fit, the 23-Test Wallabies midfielder would be an automatic replacement for Mike Harris at No.12 on Saturday night after the Kiwi-born utility picked up his own low-grade hamstring strain against the Waratahs at ANZ Stadium.

But Reds coaching boss Ewen McKenzie said Faingaa was racing the clock to be selected on Thursday morning.

“He’s pushing really hard to be right but it’s probably touch and go,” McKenzie said of the hard-nosed back.

“He’s a real experienced player so we’ll be looking to give him a chance.

“You can do a lot in seven days but you can’t fix some injuries, so we’re working hard to get him as close as we can.”

Queensland have options in the midfield if Faingaa is ruled out with youngster Chris Feauai-Sautia in line to be promoted to outside centre in a move which would see Ben Tapuai move to inside centre.

Jono Lance, on the bench against NSW, has plenty of experience in the midfield beside former school-mate Tapuai.

The Reds have also lost winger Rod Davies, who is facing at least four months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.

Already missing Digby Ioane (shoulder), Queensland’s depth out wide has softened the blow with three-Test flyer Dom Shipperley to be promoted from the bench.

Leadership duo Horwill (calf) and Genia (knee, hand) will be eased back into training this week after overcoming injuries sustained in the 2-1 Test series loss to the British and Irish Lions.

“You lose some and you get some back, that’s the nature of the game,” McKenzie said.

“We’re testing our depth, particularly on the wings at the moment.

“That’s okay we’ve got enough to play this game so that’s all we need.”

Queensland playmaker Quade Cooper said the Reds weren’t daunted by making the trip to chilly Christchurch, where they haven’t won since 1999.

The Reds lost 15-11 there without Cooper last year but won the previous three meetings in Brisbane, including the 2011 decider.

“It’s a good circumstance playing a team that we like to play against,” McKenzie said.

“We’ve had a good track record and we pushed them well the last time we were in Christchurch.”