Reds overcome Blues 29-14

BRISBANE - Prize recruit Berrick Barnes made an instant impression as the Queensland Reds held off an inexperienced Blues outfit 29-14 in a scrappy Super 14 trial at Ballymore last night.

First five-eighths Barnes showed signs his high-profile code-switch from the Brisbane Broncos was a win for the Reds with a snappy first-half display which helped the home side to a 22-0 advantage.

It was highlighted by a pin-perfect cross-field kick which found tall No.8 Mitchell Chapman in the in-goal for a slick try in the seventh minute.

But his defence in the backline was far from solid as Ben Atiga ran through him on the way to the Blues' first try midway through the second half.

It sparked a revival by the Auckland-based visitors who could have stolen the year's opening warm-up if not for three bombed tries out wide.

Queensland closed out the mistake-riddled encounter when reserve back-rower Ole Avei crossed in the dying minutes.

Barnes, 20, is far from guaranteed a Super 14 start at first five-eighths against NSW on February 11 as he competes with Elton Flatley and Julian Huxley for the playmaking role.

Flatley, in his first match in six months, played the last 20 minutes without problem, mixing time at first five-eighths and inside centre.

Huxley seemingly made breaks at will in a short stint in the position before a head gash forced him off.

Coach Jeff Miller's experiment of playing Huxley at outside centre showed some encouraging signs early in the match when the Reds were at their slickest.

Hugh McMeniman's move to blind-side flanker also promised better things to come as the young Wallabies lock enjoyed the extra freedom of roaming wider.

Chapman's two-try display at No.8 was a highlight for the Reds.

Poised to be Mark Connors' second-row partner, Chapman crossed for his second in the 32nd minute when centre Lloyd Johansson delivered a neat off-load close to the line.

Test fullback Chris Latham saved one certain try with a desperate tackle on No.8 Nick Williams on the line and set up one for Queensland with a quick-thinking grubber through for winger Tim Atkinson.

Halfback Sam Cordingley mixed good with bad in his return to the Reds scrum base as passes consistently failed to find the mark.

Queensland's already-depleted stocks of outside backs took a further hit when winger Peter Hynes limped off with a knee injury.

- AAP