Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs choose caution with Quade Cooper and Tatafu Polota-Nau

Queensland Reds fly-half Quade Cooper will have to wait another week to make his Super Rugby return but coach Richard Graham insists the 27-year-old is "pretty close".

Cooper has not played since fracturing his shoulder blade against the Melbourne Rebels on April 3 but there had been plenty of speculation the Australia international might take the field against the Sharks in Brisbane on Friday.

The Reds have erred on the side of caution, however, with Graham revealing on Wednesday that Cooper will be given another week to prepare for competitive action.

"Quade was pretty close to being available," Graham said in a statement on the Reds' website.

"His fracture has healed and he is training fully with the team, however we felt it was in his best interests to have another week of strength and contact work."

Queensland sit fourth in the Australian Conference of Super Rugby with just three victories, although they will take on the Sharks in winning form after crushing the Rebels 46-29 last week.

In other Wallabies-related news, Waratahs hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will be rested for three more games after a stint out with concussion, meaning he will have just one more fixture to gain match practice before the Super Rugby finals begin on June 19.

Polota-Nau has struggled with fitness issues this season and has not played for the reigning Super Rugby champions since suffering a knock to the head against the ACT Brumbies on May 1.

But dual Waratahs-Australia coach Michael Cheika is unwilling to risk the 50-Test international.

"He's more than comfortable to play now but we have to look at the overall picture of the longer term. Not long term like his career, just for the season," Cheika said on Tuesday.

"[Understudy Tolu Latu] is doing a really good job there and I feel comfortable.

"There's going to be some big games to come and I want to make sure [Polota-Nau] is 100 per cent ready for that."