Ed Quirk and Stephen Moore came to blows following the controversial denied try © Getty Images

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Matches: Queensland Reds 20 - 23 Brumbies

Brumbies hooker Stephen Moore was jeered off Suncorp Stadium after controversially escaping punishment for punching Ed Quirk in his side's 23-20 win over Queensland. The Reds are fuming after referee Steve Walsh denied them a 49th-minute try and failed to take action on Moore's left-arm upper-cut on Quirk at a ruck on the goal line on Friday night.

Will Genia had dived over in the corner but the try was scratched as Walsh ruled Quirk illegally held Moore before the Wallabies rake lashed out. Queensland coach Richard Graham was livid post-match and felt Moore should have been shown a yellow or red card for his punch.

While the citing commissioner was running his rule over the match, Graham indicated the Reds were keen to have the matter investigated. Brumbies coach Laurie Fisher commended Walsh for his hard-line stance in clamping down on holding at the ruck, and felt Quirk had cost his side a try.

But Graham and Queensland skipper James Horwill whole-heartedly disagreed. "I would see Stephen Moore as part of the breakdown and I think Ed Quirk is entitled to hold him," Graham said.

Horwill said: "If it is a punch, the rules are the rules and you have to go to the rule book [and send him off]".

Walsh's decision enraged the 30,000-strong Brisbane crowd and a large group of fans heckled Moore on the sideline which prevented a post-match Foxsports panel interview. The Brumbies withstood a second-half onslaught by Queensland's transformed pack to put the Reds' Super Rugby finals hopes on the brink.

It was the Reds' third loss this season by three points and has them 11th - nine points behind the ACT side - and slipping out of play-off contention heading into next weekend's bye.