The Queensland Reds have surged late to take a five-point win against the Brumbies in Friday evening Super W action.

Two powerful tries from Liz Patu have lifted the Queensland Reds to a 15-10 Super W triumph over the Brumbies in Canberra.

The Reds only pinched the lead late when ferocious prop Patu, having already found the line once, burst her way through the Brumbies' defence and scored in the 73rd minute to break a 10-10 deadlock and secure the winning margin.

The Reds then stood tall late to grab their second win of the season and deny the Brumbies the opportunity to beat them for the first time.

Reds captain Shannon Parry praised Australian international Patu's contribution while admitting her team needed to improve.

"She's definitely a standout forward of ours, we know five metres from the line she's very hard to stop," Parry said.

"We got down there and were able to come away with points which was really good for us.

"We probably left a few more points out there and got too much in the grind rather than focusing on us, so that's something we'll look into the next few weeks."

It had taken 22 minutes for the game's opening points, with the Brumbies' powerful rolling maul driving Rebecca Smyth over to score a try which was converted for 7-0.

To that point the contest had been littered with penalties and resembled a chess match, with the hosts dominating both possession and territory to eventually find their lead.

Perhaps learning from their opponents' success, the Reds played for territory with smart kicking and eventually scored through a battering Patu run on the half hour to trail 7-5.

The Brumbies resumed control and only a stubborn Reds defensive stand prevented another try before halftime, the hosts having to settle for an Ash Hewson penalty and a 10-5 lead

The Reds tied things up early in the second half, capitalising on territory and finding the line through a diving Madi Schuck for 10-10.

Missed kicks became a theme as Queensland's Cecilia Smith missed the subsequent conversion from a makeable position, before Hewson gave a penalty kick a good ride soon after before it just drifted wide on 55 minutes.

Locked at 10-10 with 20 minutes to play, the Reds brought the hammer down and forced penalty after penalty which left Pesi Palu in the bin but the Brumbies dug deep to survive an onslaught while a player down.

They also played the last 10 minutes a player short with Hana Lane sent after being caught offside, with Patu finding the match-winner from that penalty.

Parry said the performance left a bit to be desired despite the result.

"We made it difficult for ourselves ... we came in with a game plan but we failed to execute it," she said.

"It's good to come down here and get to win, but we'll enjoy the week off next week. We've definitely got a few things to tighten up."