Queensland Reds know they must improve discipline or risk the wrath of Lions No.10 Marnitz Boshoff

IMPROVING their relations with referees is a major focus for a Queensland side paying the price for being the most penalised outfit in Super Rugby.

DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA - MARCH 15: Cobus Reinach of the Cell C Sharks and Mike Harris of the Reds going for the ball during the Super Rugby match between Cell C Sharks and Reds at Growthpoint Kings Park on March 15, 2014 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images/Getty Images)

IMPROVING their relations with referees is a major focus for a Queensland side paying the price for being the most penalised outfit in Super Rugby.

The Reds are conceding 14.5 penalties per game, mostly at the breakdown, and can’t afford to continue the ill-disciplined trend against the Lions at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park on Sunday morning (AEDT).

Young Lions sharpshooter Marnitz Boshoff is the leading pointscorer in the competition and has led his underdog side to fourth place on the standings despite them scoring just 1.6 tries per match.News_Rich_Media: Reds centre Mike Harris says he's desperate to make amends for a couple of critical errors in last week's loss to the Sharks when his side takes on Super Rugby surprise packets the Lions this weekend.

Queensland were undone by the referee Lourens van der Merwe’s whistle in their 35-20 loss to the Sharks in Durban, pinged 15 to 10. The Sharks built up a match-winning 25-6 lead before half-time with goalkickers Pat Lambie and Frans Steyn slotting three-pointers from six of the first seven penalties the Reds conceded.

Queensland’s coaching box fumed with each one which went against them at the ruck, but they know they can’t allow five-eighth Boshoff shots at goal, even beyond halfway.

“Obviously he (Boshoff) is a threat,” said the Reds’ own radar-boot, Mike Harris. “If we are going to be as ill-disciplined as we were on the weekend, we’re going to be punished from anywhere from 60m out.News_Rich_Media: After coming off a 35-20 loss to the Sharks, the focus for the Reds is on starting better ahead of this weekend's clash against the Lions as they train at altitude at a school in Johannesburg.

“We have to be really disciplined and get on side with the referee.”

Skipper James Horwill had little influence on van der Merwe at Kings Park where the Sharks continued the Jake White tactic of pushing the boundaries at the breakdown within the opposing half.

The Brumbies, under White, were one of the most penalised sides last season but have so far been more disciplined under Laurie Fisher and Stephen Larkham, averaging 11.7 penalties per game.

The White-coached Sharks (13.2) are the second most penalised this year while the Waratahs (12.6) are third, just ahead of the defending champion Chiefs (12.5).

Failing to release the ball at the ruck has been the Reds’ biggest sin, and they must quickly get attuned to the interpretations of another South African referee, Stuart Berry, at Ellis Park.

Attack coach Steve Meehan said it was up to them to deny three-point chances by playing well into the opponent’s half and maintaining their discipline.

“We can take both matters into our own hands,” Meehan said.