The Queensland Reds have copped their fifth Super Rugby defeat in a row, controversially crashing 39-16 to the Blues.

Two contentious first half yellow cards two minutes apart cruelled any chance the Reds had of breaking their six-year drought at Auckland's Eden Park.

While they were reduced to 13 men, the Blues ran in two tries to open up a 21-6 halftime lead and were never headed despite seeing two yellow cards of their own in the second half.

Duncan Paia'aua and Alex Mafi crossed to add some respectability for Queensland but it was too little, too late.

Officiating was already in the global rugby spotlight after a number of hotly-debated decisions throughout the June Test window.

Reds coach Brad Thorn said Friday night's match and the TMO-assisted calls that blighted it, wouldn't have helped the sport's cause.

"The game's in an interesting place, isn't it?" Thorn said.

"If that's what rugby is where you slow things down ... I don't know if that's enjoyable for people.

"Everyone's talking about that at the moment on both sides of the Tasman.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to say. It's hurting the game."