Captain Will Genia says his maturing Queensland team showed they have more than just `razzle dazzle' in their arsenal following a gritty Super Rugby victory over the Brumbies in Canberra.

The Reds were outscored four tries to one in their 31-25 win and got home on the back of seven penalties from five-eighth Quade Cooper.

Last year the Reds dazzled the competition with their attacking play, but their game plan has struggled in the first two rounds to adapt to confrontational defences.

Genia said the Reds' first ever win in 10 Super Rugby matches in the ACT was the result of a change in their tactics from last season.

"The most pleasing thing is we did it in a very mature way," Genia said.

"It's a way we have won a game that we haven't played (that way) before. Not the razzle dazzle but smart tactical kicking and taking the points on offer."

Coach Ewen McKenzie said an increase in physicality at the breakdown by the Reds, where they managed to slow down their opponent's ball, was a lesson from the previous week when they were beaten 30-6 by the Waratahs.

Queensland were dominated at the breakdown in their first two matches against the Waratahs and the Force.

"We had our minds elsewhere where we were focussing on the complexities of attack," he said.

"In the end, we had to make sure we did the fundamental things well and I've said, and I have not changed my opinion, it is a game around the breakdown.

"I thought the guys that came (did a good job) ... and we changed the way we played the game slightly."

The Reds beat the Force 21-20 in round one off "scrappy ball", but Genia said his troops played smarter in defeating the Brumbies.

"We played tactically, we put (the ball) in the corners and put a lot of pressure on them," he said.

"We kind of grind it out on the front foot as opposed to grinding it out on the back foot."

McKenzie stressed the importance of converting pressure into points.

"The last two games we've played from behind, and we've had to chase and it has not been pretty," he said.

"It's hard to chase at the moment, so we determined to make sure we are in front and make them work."

The Reds next play on March 18 against newcomers Melbourne Rebels at home, following a bye this week coming.

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