Queensland were sorely tested by the Highlanders but did enough to end a 12-year win drought in Dunedin.
While Filipo Daugunu bagged a double, it was the Reds’ pack that deserves credit with Alex Hodgman leading a second half scrum clinic that left the Highlanders hapless at Forsyth Barr.
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Here’s what we learned:
Alex Hodgman has put himself squarely back in the Wallabies Test frame with one of the great Super Rugby scrum clinics at Sauala Mau's expense.
Coming off the bench during the second half, Hodgman rolled the sleeves up and turned Highlanders tighthead Ma'u's night upside down.
In total, the Reds earned four scrum penalties and probably could've had more were it not for some late-game leniency from referee Damon Murphy.
Queensland were happy to let their rivals know as well with pack members holding up fingers as the penalties kept ticking over.
Hodgman's scrummaging combined with an eight-man squeeze changed the context of the game completely - Queensland went from trailing 17-12 to comfortable winners off the back of unchallenged scrum dominance.
It's wild to think Queensland haven't banked a win in Dunedin since 2013 but Forsyth Barr has been a very unhappy hunting ground for the Reds - until now.
Pre-game, stand-in skipper Harry Wilson spoke about the importance of silencing The Zoo and taking the Highlanders' parochial fan base out of the equation.
For large parts, that's exactly what they did.
The Reds' scrum dominance completely drained the sound from their rabid supporters even despite their first-half fightback and you could've heard a pin drop when lachie Anderson scooted over late in the piece.
Winning tight games was always going to be the metric by which this Reds side were judged in 2025.
Now, they've done the business against a dangerous Kiwi side - what a statement from Les Kiss' men.
A quick moment to shout out Kalani Thomas, who was simply outstanding across his 71-minute shift in Dunedin.
Given a rare chance to start with Tate McDermott rested, Thomas sparked the Reds to life early with a hot-stepping try and finished with five tackle busts and a line break.
But this game was typified by one man's 80 minute performance - Harry Wilson.
Wearing the armband at SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific might seem a breeze after taking on the Test captaincy.
But the honour of leading Queensland wasn't lost on Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson, who lifted massively for his side in a crucial clash with 11 carries, 14 tackles without a miss, a late turnover and his clutch kick to set up Daugunu's second try.
It's a tough fortnight ahead for Jamie Joseph's men with road trips to Canberra and Perth on the horizon.
The Highlanders are an excellent side both sides of the pill and can match it with the best, especially when Timoci Tavatavanawai's pilfering rucks for fun (he's now up to 11 steals this season).
But a third single-digit loss from their five games this season cuts deep - they could easily be 5-0 if they'd hold on against the Tahs (Round 1), Hurricanes (Round 5) and Reds.
At time of writing, they're clinging to their top-six berth thanks to a late penalty goal but are unlikely to hold on much longer with three more games to play this round.
The Brumbies and Force are tough assignments on the road and it doesn't get easier next month with the Drua (home) and Chiefs (away) laying in wait.
A pox on the Kiwi commentary team that put the mockers on Tom Lynagh's perfect goalkicking streak!
Lynagh had sunk 15 straight from the tee before his Round 6 outing and must've misplaced his kicking boots after Thomas' early try beside the sticks.
But the Reds and Wallabies flyhalf went on to miss three of his next four as soon as the Sky Sport team brought up his record.
15 straight isn't shabby but let's not forget some of the great goalkicking streaks in Super Rugby.
Nuffies may remember Hayden Parker of Sunwolves fame - he famously drained 38 consecutive kicks at goal between 2018 and 2019!
