Shattered skipper James Horwill bemoaned Queensland's heart-breaking 30-28 Super 14 capitulation to NSW as the most harrowing loss in his career.

A last-minute try by a heavily-bandaged Wycliff Palu broke the Reds hearts as the Waratahs got out of jail 30-28 in an interstate classic at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

No.8 Palu beat two tiring defenders to score under the posts after coming back on to the field following an ugly head clash with fellow forward Will Caldwell when Horwill scored the Reds second try.

After leading 28-18 thanks to a late penalty try, the ill-disciplined Reds took their foot off the visitors throat as the visitors scored two tries in the last seven minutes.

It extended NSW's hold of the Templeton Cup to a sixth year and ruined what should have been a deserved triumph for new Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie.

The Reds were far more willing and precise in open play for the first 70 minutes of the match but their faltering set piece play and lack of composure, hallmarks of their last six years of failure, cost them terribly.

"That was pretty much one of the hardest losses I've had to take - both for the Wallabies or Reds," said Horwill, a stand-out in the back-row.

"That was tough. It hurts, it hurts a lot.

"We certainly felt we played good football and played well enough for 70 minutes but it's just those last 10 minutes we lost our discipline and let them back in the game."

Horwill also blamed himself for a poor lineout call on his own goal line which led to NSW first try to replacement winger Rory Sidey in the 73rd minute.

The entertaining and fiery clash was marred by a biting allegation levelled at Queensland firebrand Adam Byrnes by lock rival Caldwell midway through the first half.

South African referee Craig Joubert warned Byrnes he was in danger of being sent off after Caldwell showed him his injured finger following a Berrick Barnes drop goal in the 19th minute.

"That's completely unacceptable," Joubert said to Horwill and Byrnes.

"If I see it (happen again) it's a red-card."

The Waratahs expect action to be taken against Byrnes with skipper Phil Waugh indicating Caldwell's finger was seriously damaged but not disfigured.

"It wasn't that bad ... not like Mike Tyson-(Evander) Holyfield," said Waugh.

Queensland scored three tries to two but former Reds favourite son Berrick Barnes, constantly jeered by the 22,582-strong crowd, who kept his new team in the game with four penalty goals and a drop goal.

Barnes was among a number of players struck down by cramp, replaced after 62 minutes at 21-15 down.

Horwill was also involved with a prolonged on-ground wrestle with Barnes, his vice-captain in 2009, while the mercurial Quade Cooper and Ben Daley both belted the NSW No.10 early.

A piece of Will Genia brilliance, a break and chip ahead, propelled the Reds to their late 10-point lead when a penalty try was awarded for Ben Mowen committing a deliberate foul to stop the five-pointer.

Waugh said the sounds of the Reds "hoopla" after the 69th-minute try made the ultimate victory even sweeter.

NSW only made the most of their scrum and lineout dominance, particularly in the second half when veteran hooker Sean Hardman (ankle) was replaced, in the final stages as the Reds failed to retain possession.

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