Samu Kerevi's Reds out to upset the improving Jaguares

Their Super Rugby finals hopes may be shot, but the Queensland Reds can still restore some pride to the Australian conference with victory over the red-hot Jaguares on Saturday night.

With seven wins from their past eight outings, the Jaguares have soared to second on the ladder and are on track for an historic home quarter-final in Buenos Aires.

Packed with Pumas, the Jaguares have taken down the Brumbies and Waratahs on their rampant run to leave the Reds as the last Australian team with a chance to topple the powerful Argentine outfit.

“It’something we’ve spoken about through the week, it’s almost a Test side,” Queensland skipper Samu Kerevi said at the Reds’ captain’s run on Friday.

“They’ve been playing together for the last couple of years now and they’ve a very skilful team, a very hard team to beat.

“But the challenge is what’s exciting about this weekend.”

The Reds are vowing to lift for Scott Higginbotham’s milestone 100th game for Queensland.

Kerevi is especially hungry to contribute, having been a frustrated observer watching from his lounge room as the Reds fell painfully short of a rare win in New Zealand last week against the Chiefs.

Rested as part of the Wallabies’ workload management program ahead of this year’s World Cup, Kerevi knows he will have his hands full at Suncorp Stadium marking Pumas star Jeronimo de la Fuente in a head-to-head captain’s duel.

“They’ve got rapid wingers, the centres have been playing well and it’s going to be a big task for Chris (Feauai-Sautia) and I to lock down that centre combination for them,” Kerevi said.

“And also for us as well trying to get that front-foot ball and getting over the gain line, it’s going to be a tough ask.”

While in the box seat, the Jaguares aren’t home and hosed yet, with the Sharks, Bulls, Lions and Stormers all within striking distance should the South African conference leaders slip up in Brisbane with three rounds remaining.