The Blues have been beaten 41-35 by the Queensland Reds in their Super Rugby pre-season match in Toowoomba.
The Reds scored seven tries to five, but it was a promising performance from the Blues who are rebuilding under John Kirwan.
Quade Cooper had a mixed game for the Reds in his first outing in five months.
Meanwhile the former Australian league and AFL player Israel Folau celebrated his Super Rugby debut with two tries in the NSW Waratahs' 24-16 win over the Melbourne Rebels in Hobart.
In other warm-up matches over the weekend the Hurricanes beat the Crusaders 27-26 in Timaru and the Chiefs beat the Highlanders 36 -14 in Taupo.
The ACT Brumbies had a 20-18 win over the Western Force.
