Written off pre-season as Super 12 easybeats, Queensland showed enough against the ACT Brumbies to make the critics think again.

The Reds, playing a faster and wider style of game than traditionally on show at Ballymore, impressed in Saturday night's 33-21 trial victory in Brisbane.

Although the Brumbies were without seven World Cup Wallabies, the home side's enterprise and mobility suggested it was a far better chance of being Super 12 contenders than the 64-1 odds offered in New Zealand recently.

New coach Jeff Miller was a relieved man after the five-tries-to-three win but not getting carried away.

"We're in pretty good shape," he said.

"The most pleasing thing for me was that it just given us the indication that we're on the right track.

"That's real important given the (game plan) is something new.

"We've shown glimpses of what's possible and that will give us confidence going into the season."

The Reds attack, with new flyhalf Julian Huxley calling the shots, was extremely sharp in a fast-paced opening where the combatants went try for try for 16 minutes.

Huxley and skipper Elton Flatley, at inside centre, struck an immediate rhythm together and fulback Chris Latham produced a signature early-season display.

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