A power-packed Blues rained on Queensland's return to Ballymore, coming from behind for a 27-18 Super 14 win on Saturday night.

Not even a rousing 55-metre opening-minute try to new skipper Will Genia and a brave fightback could reap the Reds' first back-to-back Super 14 victory since 2006.

Queensland raced to a 10-0 lead early but shot themselves in the foot with some soft defence and poor kicking at critical times as the Aucklanders mastered the wet conditions better with a three-tries-to-two win.

There could also be a sting in the tail for the home side, who had their chances to steal the match, with Reds fullback Peter Hynes replaced early in the second half with a badly-dislocated finger.

Genia, again among his side's best in taking the reins from James Horwill, scored immediately by charging down and juggling a Stephen Brett kick from close-range and then sprinting 55m to bring the rain-sodden Ballymore crowd of 15,681 to their feet.

But for much of the next hour the Reds were on the back foot as the talent-laden visitors took control of territory and possession

While they trailed by five points after having the better of the first half, the Blues pounced after the break with quick tries to lock Anthony Boric and halfback Alby Mathewson.

Mathewson left former Blues flanker Daniel Braid red-faced by slipping straight past him off the back of a lineout and then running around league recruit Will Chambers for a soft five-pointer.

At 20-13 down, the Reds clawed back through a 15m driving maul try to outstanding prop Laurie Weeks.

Quade Cooper had the chance to tie and then put the home side in front with a conversion then penalty attempt, respectively, but narrowly missed both under pressure.

The Reds also had a fine counter-attacking effort sparked by winger Digby Ioane and Cooper, shifted from flyhalf to fullback, denied by the television match official in the 73rd minute.

But when Ioane was dispossessed attacking from his own line in the dying minutes, the Blues sealed the result with Rudi Wulf crossing in the corner.

The Reds took a 13-8 lead into halftime thanks as much to Blues goalkicker Brett's inaccuracy off the tee as Genia's brilliance.

Brett missed three from four attempts, including two kickable penalties, as he struggled in the wet conditions, while Cooper slotted his first three attempts from all angles.

The Blues looked more dangerous with the ball in hand, showing their hand early by attacking with a sweeping backline move from first phase within their own 22.

Centre Rene Ranger, who replaced the injured Isaia Toeava, left would-be tacklers behind him with each touch and was rewarded with a 32nd-minute try after brushing off five Reds following a scrum-base bust by No.8 Peter Saili.

For much of the middle period of the game, the Reds were unable to get out of half while Brett's kicks in general play were booming and accurate efforts.

Queensland's Super 14 rugby loss to the Blues has been compounded by the loss of winger Rod Davies for four weeks and fullback Peter Hynes also under an injury cloud.

Davies has a supected fractured cheekbone from a nasty first-half collision in the Reds' 27-18 loss to the Aucklanders at Ballymore on Saturday night.

Wallabies winger Hynes was also replaced early in the second half with a finger injury that has him in doubt for Friday's clash with the unbeaten Chiefs.

Scans have cleared him of a fracture but he's seeking further medical advice on the dislocated finger.

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