The loss completed another eventful week at Ballymore after veteran James Slipper was slapped with a two-month ban for a second positive test for cocaine.

The Highlanders chose to rest All Blacks Ben Smith, Luke Whitelock, Shannon Frizell and Liam Coltman, while the second half introduction of gun Test halfback Aaron Smith was pivotal.

The Reds produced some champagne rugby to open the second stanza, linking from inside their own half with a series of speculative passes.

Queensland then hammered the Highlanders down the middle before Jono Lance and Samu Kerevi both offloaded to see Hamish Stewart burst over for a 15-8 lead from a brilliant 20-phase sequence.

The visitors responded though, dominating the next 15 minutes and defying some stiff Reds defence to level through All Blacks loose iorward Liam Squire with 20 minutes to play.

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Out on their feet, the desperate Queensland defence led by Lance somehow kept the Highlanders out before the late penalty sealed their fate.

The Reds had their chances at the death, but failed to find touch on multiple occasions and often kicked into space without any chasers.

Paenga-Amosa pressed his case for a call-up for next month's Test series against Ireland though, dominating the scrum for the Reds and scoring a first-half try from a well-executed driving maul.

AAP