Frustrated Queensland flanker George Smith has urged an ill-disciplined Reds to stand up and help "fill the void" left by leaders James Slipper and Quade Cooper.
Queensland are reeling from skipper Slipper's season ending achilles injury and playmaker Cooper's likely ban ahead of Sunday's Super Rugby clash with the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.
Cooper fronts the SANZAAR judiciary on a dangerous tackle charge at 1700 AEDT on Tuesday.
He was sent off in the the Reds' disastrous 44-14 last round loss to the Lions in Johannesburg that also claimed Slipper.
"It's not great losing two experienced players, especially two leaders in the group," Smith said after the Reds arrived in Buenos Aires.
"Obviously there will be others who do step up in the leadership role and the quicker we do that the better."
Cooper has already flown home to Brisbane and been replaced at No.10 by Jake McIntyre for Sunday's clash in a sign the Reds are bracing for a ban.
The Lions ran amok after Cooper's 49th minute red card left Queensland with essentially 13 men on the field with Slipper already sidelined and winger Eto Nabuli copping a 45th minute yellow card.
Smith admitted discipline was an issue for the Reds.
"There have been a number of issues with our discipline in games. The quicker we rectify that the better," he said.
"It's not ideal; we haven't had a successful campaign thus far but you can see the improvement in players."
Former Broncos NRL outside back Lachlan Maranta has been added to the squad for the Argentina trip.
But Smith said it was up to Queensland's senior players to make a stand against the Jaguares, last round 41-14 winners over the Cheetahs in Buenos Aires.
"They played particularly well ... so they will gain some confidence from that - especially after the loss we had," Smith said.
"For us it is about how we prepare but also filling those voids with James and Quade missing."
Queensland coach Nick Stiles didn't sugar coat Sunday's challenge.
"A very tough game," he said.
"It was only a week ago the Jaguares beat the Lions, so you know they're just a quality side.
"They're basically a team filled with internationals."
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