Queensland coach Nick Stiles is seeing red over yellow cards, saying the pair handed out in their last round Super Rugby loss to the Jaguares had been exceptionally harsh.
But a fatigued Reds aren't looking for excuses ahead of Saturday night's Suncorp Stadium clash with defending champions the Hurricanes.
Queensland returned to Brisbane on Monday night after a 27-hour trip from Buenos Aires following their frustrating 22-8 loss.
Besides jet lag, the Reds are also smarting from New Zealand referee Mike Fraser sin-binning Eto Nabuli and Kane Douglas within a minute in the first half in Argentina.
Queensland, at one stage, were reduced to 13 men for the second straight week.
In the past fortnight, the Reds have accumulated three yellow cards and one red.
"It's one of those things - it's frustrating for everyone," Stiles said.
"In the first couple of games of the year, I felt our yellow cards were probably well earned, minor as they were.
"But in the game against the Jaguares, I thought the two yellow cards were exceptionally harsh.
"I don't think they were yellow cards at all but you have to move on and get on with it."
Stiles said the Reds were still sluggish after their fortnight journey to Africa, South America and back.
However, he said lining up against the defending champions would be motivation enough to lift on Saturday night.
"The way they are playing the game at the moment is exciting to watch," Stiles said of the Hurricanes.
"They are using basic skills exceptionally well and stepping up at key moments.
"Every other side in the competition is trying to emulate that."
The jury is out on how a fatigued Queensland will respond after four straight losses.
Reds fullback Karmichael Hunt said they had no choice but to bring their 'A game' against the Hurricanes.
"We don't need extra motivation to turn up this Saturday because, if we are not ready, this team will put 80 on you," he said.
"Definitely, it will be a big ask for us but there is no better way of testing yourself than against the champs."
Hunt said he and outside centre Samu Kerevi had stepped up to lead the attack with Jake McIntyre finding his feet at five-eighth for the suspended Quade Cooper.
Wallabies playmaker Cooper still has two games to serve.
"We have to (step up). Quade was a fairly integral piece to what we do offensively," Hunt said.
"With him out and Jake stepping in (last week), we have had to help ease that load but we can only do so much.
"With Jake having a bit more match fitness under his belt, we will be the better for it."
Stiles has recalled veteran forwards George Smith and Rob Simmons among four changes for the Hurricanes clash.
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