The Queensland Reds have overcome a 14-point deficit to bring the high-flying Auckland Blues back to earth with a 34-23 victory at Ballymore.

Some observers had the Blues as almost sure things to play in the Super 12 final after a 60-7 demolition of the Hurricanes in the opening round, but they had none of the same composure against the determined Reds in the damp conditions after afternoon rain.

The Reds led 21-17 at half-time and maintained their advantage in a tense second-half to maintain the Blues' winless record at Ballymore and secure themselves a bonus point with a fourth try. Despite last week's loss to the Brumbies, the Reds remained optimistic and showed a dramatic improvement in the lineouts against the Blues.

But early on it looked like the Blues were set to repeat their first round efforts when they raced to a 14-0 lead after just 10 minutes.

The Blues dominated all facets in the early stages and deserved the opening try to hooker Slade McFarland in the seventh minute after a break by winger Doug Howlett. And when flanker Xavier Rush finished off a perfectly executed lineout move by No.8 Ron Cribb three minutes later the Blues were looking ominous.

The Reds had little impact on the game in the opening 15 minutes with no possession, while Blues five-eighth Carlos Spencer dictated play, as he had the previous week. Cribb was another imposing figure as the Blues dominated.

However, the Reds kept their composure and with some possession finally coming their way started to play the game in Blues territory. No.8 Toutai Kefu finally converted the pressure when he came off the back of a scrum to score the Reds' first try in the 24th minute. Kefu now shares the record for most Super 12 appearances at 71 with former Crusaders captain Todd Blackadder.

The Blues lost all their early composure with the Reds' continuity building and further tries to replacement flanker John Roe and captain Daniel Herbert completed a 21-point surge by Queensland in 14 minutes.

After the break, Reds five-eighth Elton Flatley, in his 50th Super 12 game, and Spencer swapped penalties as Rush spent time in the sinbin for tackling a player without the ball. With 30 minutes remaining the Reds held a 24-20 lead.

The Reds' league recruit Wendell Sailor had a great second-half continually looking for work and Ballymore fans got to see his renowned cockiness for the first time as he and Cribb played out a little personal battle.

Flatley extended Queensland's lead to 27-20 with a penalty in the 67th minute, but with five minutes remaining Spencer reduced the lead to 27-24 after the Blues won a penalty at the breakdown after Sailor fumbled a kick. Interestingly, attempts by Spencer to turn Sailor around with kicks never really eventuated.

The Reds maintained the pressure as the clock counted down and in a dream finish at home, inside-centre Steve Kefu crashed over after a Flatley break for a crucial try and bonus point. The video referee was needed to judge whether the try was legitimate after replacement Steve Devine looked to have got his arm under the ball. While not impacting on the final result, the decision not only gave the Reds a bonus point, but denied the Blues a point for losing within seven points.