The Queensland Reds have shown why they're tipped to be among the frontrunners this Super Rugby season, thrashing the Brumbies 38-5 at Austar Stadium in Darwin.

Despite dominating much of Friday night's trial match, the Reds' supremacy didn't transfer to the scoreboard in the first or third quarters.

Both sides made a number of ill-disciplined errors throughout the game, but it was the Reds who stepped up to take control of the match and come away with their second win of the pre-season.

The Reds showed solid defence, preventing two early break-away tries by the Brumbies.

After missing most of the 2010 Super 14 season with a shoulder injury, Digby Ioane had a blinder of game both in defence and attack.

With the return of Ioane to the backline, the Reds found a fast paced attack on the left side.

The Reds backline showed great fluency with halves Will Genia and Quade Cooper combining in their usual dazzling style to outplay the ACT side.

The Brumbies first and only try came from Anthony Smith who crossed over early in the third quarter.

In only his second game back from injury, Reds Captain James Horwill showed no sign of the crippling knee injury which saw him out of the 2010 season.

Horwill had a solid game playing most of the 80 minutes in the less-familiar position of blind side flanker.

Reds reserve Mike Harris had a great game off the bench scoring a try and securing two conversions.

Despite having opportunities, the ACT Brumbies let themselves down with a number of silly mistakes, only managing an unconverted try in the third quarter.

Seconds before the buzzer, Don Shipperley showed his soccer skills toeing the ball under control to score his first try in the corner.

Reds coach Ewen McKenzie praised the performance of some of the lesser known players, as well as some of his stars.

"It was a pretty good hit out," he told AAP.

"I was pretty pleased because we used 28 players and they all made a big contribution.

"(Reds captain James Horwill) played two 70 minute efforts in a row and that's great."

Horwill played down suggestions from Brumbies coach Andy Friend that the Reds were the team to beat this season.

"I don't know about the team to look out for, I think every team's the one to look out for," he told AAP.

"We're happy with where we are ... we're building some good depth and ... making it hard for the coach to pick a 22 for the game and that's the way you want it leading into the season."

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