The 20-year-old Penrith-born Pakeho is nicknamed Doctor after the famous rapper and producer Dr Dre.
And the No.13 was among the main acts in Friday's crucial Suncorp Stadium win, silencing Blues and 81-Test All Blacks opposite Rieko Ioane.
Usually a No.12, the academy product spent his early childhood in New Zealand before returning to Brisbane as an eight-year-old.
He has flourished at outside centre for the injury-hit side that sits fourth with five rounds to play.
Seven capped Wallabies remain on the sidelines for the Reds, including utility back Filipo Daugunu (leg) and specialist centre Josh Flook (hamstring).
Neither will be fit to face Fijian Drua in Suva this Saturday.
Daugunu could be back a week later to play the NSW Waratahs but Flook is only an outside chance to return for the finals in a blow to his Wallabies hopes.
"I don't think he's going to be here in the season proper at this stage, a bit of work to be done," coach Les Kiss revealed of the 23-year-old Flook after Friday's 35-21 victory.
Kiss would be reluctant to shift Pakeho though, given his blossoming combination with No.12 Hunter Paisami.
His debut in Perth earlier this season was marked by a nerveless, pinpoint kick for touch that led to their match-winning try.
His all-round performance against a star-studded Blues backline on Friday showed that was no fluke.
"He stepped up completely. Great running lines, timing, punching his shoulder through, creating momentum off the ruck," Kiss said of his "superb" outing against the Blues.
"Defensively ... he smoked a guy (Ioane) when he needed to, took the space and really smoked him.
"Some mature moments for a young man … he's standing on his own two feet, clearly, at the moment."
The Reds (6-3) are two points behind third-placed ACT Brumbies (6-4) and 10 behind joint leaders the Crusaders and Chiefs (8-2), with a game in hand on all three.
They fly to Suva on Wednesday to try for a first win in Fiji against the Drua (2-8), who boast home victories over the Waratahs and Chiefs this season.
Away games against the Waratahs and Brumbies follow, with the Reds fully aware a top-four finish ensures a home quarter-final.
"It's a tough one for any team to go there, then travel home and get the job done," Kiss said of the Fiji trip.
"We put a lot of planning into it; the proof's in the pudding.
"There's no parts of the season where you can float, the pressure's on everyone and there's so much more to happen in this competition."
* REDS INJURY LIST
Filipo Daugunu, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook, Matt Gibbon, Frankie Goldsbrough, Mason Gordon, Isaac Henry, Will McCulloch, Josh Nasser, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright, George Blake.
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