Genuine title contenders Queensland on Sunday highlighted how far they've come in 18 months with the most significant win in their Super Rugby history, played in front of a record crowd of 48,301.

The attendance at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium smashed the previous Australian Super attendance record (42,237 in 2004) by more than 6000 and the Brisbane fans had plenty to celebrate as the Reds pipped the Crusaders 17-16 in controversial and dramatic fashion.

Crusaders captain Richie McCaw was left seething as referee Stu Dickinson dubiously penalised him for hands in the ruck in the 79th minute with the home side on the attack and trailing by two.

Quade Cooper, who produced yet another display full of sublime skill but was still beaten by Dan Carter in their playmaking showdown, kicked the easy three-pointer to clinch the game.

The thrilling win in a pulsating, high-quality encounter put Queensland a game clear at the top of the standings and staring at a top-two finish and home preliminary final.

It's a far cry from 2009 when the Reds were seen as the basket cases of the competition.

Under previous coach Phil Mooney they finished second last and the cash-stricken franchise were struggling to attract home crowds near 20,000 and keep favourite sons like NSW-bound Berrick Barnes.

Twenty-six games since, with Ewen McKenzie in the driving seat, Queensland have won 19 to be the toast of the town and the 15-man code.

Despite the jubilant celebrations on the field and in the packed stands, skipper James Horwill conceded fortune may have favoured his side at the end of the entertaining spectacle.

McCaw was stunned by Dickinson's decision after Ben Franks had counter rucked to leave the ball behind him for the All Blacks flanker to pick up.

But he bit his tongue both on fulltime and after the match when asked about his reaction.

"You don't say what you're thinking (to the referee)," McCaw said. "When you think you're in the right and you're not what do you say?"

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder took issue with the call, reasoning McCaw was well within his rights to pounce on the ball after Franks had dislodged it from the Reds' side of the ruck.

"I was just really disappointed and have a real sense of frustration with that last decision being an influence (in the result)," Blackadder said.

Halfback Will Genia was a stand-out for Queensland and produced the play that gave them the momentum at 14-10 just after halftime by swooping on some quick phase ball from Radike Samo to race 20m to the corner.

Genia also helped set up Queensland's only other try from a well-worked lineout move that saw Ben Tapuai score under the posts midway through the first.

Possibly only Carter shaded him for man-of-the-match honours, with the All Blacks five-eighth brilliant in all facets to lead the Crusaders around the park and beat Cooper in the strategic battle.

While Sonny Bill Williams was kept quiet by excellent Reds' defence, Carter pulled the strings beautifully and also set up their only try to veteran winger Brent Ward through a tackle and strip on Anthony Faingaa.

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