The Reds were outmanned and outgunned in a 28-19 loss to the Fijian Drua in Suva on Saturday afternoon.
Queensland's top-four hopes now hang by a thread after a Suliasi Vunivalu red card derailed their hopes of rolling the Drua on home soil.
Here's what we learnt:
Suliasi Vunivalu has borne the brunt of much criticism since his code-switch but the Reds winger didn’t do himself any favours against the Drua.
Vunivalu saw yellow inside the opening ten minutes for an intentional trip, gifting the Drua a penalty try in the process.
Once is bad enough and can be put down to a brain snap.
But to see Vunivalu throw a leg out again in the lead up to Tevita Ikanivere’s try was truly shocking.
The result – another yellow card for intentionally tripping – and ultimately a red card that cost Queensland the game.
They won’t be near a home final but the Drua remain one of Super Rugby Pacific’s great unknown quantities heading into the quarter finals.
Tevita Ikanivere and Selestino Ravutaumada remain two of the competition’s best players period and both stood tall when their side needed them.
Flyhalf Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula continues to grow in confidence while improvements at set piece are putting the Drua in strong stead to challenge a top four side come quarter finals.
They'll face the Highlanders and Rebels in coming weeks with all three jockeying for positions between fifth and eighth - expect plenty of fireworks.
Take nothing away from the Drua's performance but Queensland were often their own worst enemies.
Matt Faessler's absence at hooker was keenly felt as the Reds' lineout crumbled - six turnovers on their own throw - and a rolling maul error from George Blake butchered what seemed a sure try with 10 minutes to play.
Six turnovers at ruck time also cruelled the Reds momentum with the Drua dominating collisions all afternoon.
Reds co-captain Liam Wright Stan Sport's Sam Wykes his side "got punched in the face" - fair to say there was a bit of self-inflicted damage as well.
It would've been a miraculous win to see off the Drua with 14 men for 30 minutes and the Reds sure made a fist of it.
Flyhalf Lawson Creighton stood tall with an assured first-half performance including a scything try and excellent kicking.
Rookie pairing Taj Annan and Floyd Aubrey also stood tall with the former's left boot adding dimension to the Reds' attack and the latter showing glimpses of his talent with a fine finish for Queensland's first try.
John Bryant also played above his weight at eight in Harry Wilson's absence. Expecting to see more of him over the next two crucial rounds for Queensland against the Force and Waratahs.
A quick moment here to commemorate referee Angus Gardner, who equaled the record for most Super Rugby games in the middle during the Reds-Drua clash.
The Aussie racked up his 114th game to tie Jaco Peyper at the top and stands to break the record next week.
Reds co-captain Wright paid tribute to Gardner post-game.
"Our refs don’t get enough recognition for what they do in our game and he’s done a lot to take the game forward," Wright said.
Well said. Gardner's been a benchmark for Australian referees and would be a deserving new record holder.
