Brumbies skipper Matt Giteau says a lack of discipline is costing his side after they slumped to their second consecutive Super Rugby loss.

Penalties, particularly at the breakdown, have hurt the Canberra-based side, who were beaten 31-25 by Queensland at home on Saturday night.

It was the second consecutive week the Brumbies have scored more tries than their opposition but have lost the game.

The Brumbies scored four tries to one, but Reds five-eighth Quade Cooper made the hosts pay for their indiscretions by landing seven penalties.

A week earlier, the Brumbies scored two tries to one against Melbourne only to lose the game 25-24, with Rebels five-eighth Danny Cipriani slotting five penalties including the match-winner on the stroke of fulltime.

Giteau said his side was their own worst enemy against the Reds.

"It was pretty clear that discipline was a big factor," Giteau said.

"Attack wise we got those four tries but we gave away too many points.

"As a side we need to be better at discipline."

New coach Tony Rea believes a lack of control placed more pressure on the Brumbies than the penalty count.

Rea, the former assistant coach, was promoted to the Brumbies' helm after Andy Friend was sacked earlier in the week.

Fullback Pat McCabe said the week had been tough following the drama.

"It was obviously something that we did not speak about but everyone desperately wanted to win," McCabe said.

"Not because of what happened during the week but because you just need to win, you need to keep winning in this competition."

McCabe says the side needs to regroup for their next match against seven-time Super Rugby champions, the Crusaders, in Nelson on Friday.

The Crusaders enter the match after an impressive 33-18 win over the Waratahs in the Christchurch-based side's first game since an earthquake severely damaged the city two weeks ago.

"Playing arguably the best team in the competition this week, you really can't afford to dwell on what happened," he said.

"It is probably a good time to get the Crusaders.

"We desperately need a win, so if we want to be a chance in this competition, we need to win this week."

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