South African referee Marius Jonker awarded two Reds tries from rucks near the Highlanders' line, both replays casting serious doubt as to whether they were scored.

It saw the Reds lead 19-9 before the Highlanders stormed home with their only try, a 74th minute effort from replacement forward Adam Thomson from a wonky Reds lineout to earn a bonus point.

It set up a thrilling final few minutes but the visitors spilled the ball from a promising attack and the Reds kicked it clear before Clinton Schifkofske nailed a penalty for the hosts on the fulltime hooter.

The Highlanders were up against it, entering the new season without departed All Blacks quartet Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Clarke Dermody and Nick Evans, lock James Ryan and captain Craig Newby (both injured).

It meant they had five Super 14 debutants in their starting 15, three more making their first appearance for the franchise and halfback Jimmy Cowan their solitary test player.

In contrast the Reds, under new coach Phil Mooney, were at full strength for the first time since April 2003.

They were looking to make amends for a horror 2007 which saw them earn the wooden spoon and suffer a 92-3 hiding from the Bulls in the final round.

The relative differences showed early on as the Reds dominated possession and scored two tries in the opening quarter.

Former Western Force winger Digby Ioane was electric on the left, narrowly bundled into touch before setting up the first of captain John Roe's two tries in the 15th minute.

Ioane burst clear and was dragged down just short of the line before Roe dived over from a ruck and winger Clinton Schifcofske converted.

The Reds' second try six minutes later, to Schifcofske, was dubious as it appeared fullback Paul Williams had clearly held the ball up.

Jonker told television match official Steve Leszczynski he thought a try had been scored, and the TMO told him there was no evidence to say he couldn't award it.

A 35th minute penalty to debut first five-eighth Daniel Bowden made it 12-3 at halftime, then the Highlanders finally got going as the match opened up.

The Highlanders forwards, with new No 8 Steven Setephano a big presence, began to muscle their opponents off the ball and their speedy backs relished the extra space.

But a Williams penalty was all they had to show for a sustained period of attack after the break.

A key moment was Jonker's sinbinning of giant Highlanders prop Jamie Mackintosh for a late swinging arm in the 60th minute.

From the penalty, a Reds' lineout drive took them to the goal line and Roe was awarded the try by Lawrence, who again checked with the TMO but seemed convinced Roe had scored.

Schifcofske's conversion made it 19-6 with 20 minutes remaining.

The Highlanders lost winger Lucky Mulipola and Bowden to injury in the second half before Williams' second penalty got them back to 19-9 entering the final 10 minutes.

Highlanders captain Jason Macdonald said his team were determined to start the season strongly after being dismissed as also-rans.

"We've been written off in most quarters so we've got a lot to prove," he told Fox Sports.

"They just capitalised on all the mistakes we made. There were too many.

"We put a few fresh legs on and our pre-season conditioning brought us through in the last 20 minutes, but it wasn't to be tonight."

Roe was a relieved captain after his side got a big fright.

"I was hoping for one more try, but from where we were at, we'll take the first win and go on to next week."

Queensland Reds (12) 22
Tries: John Roe 2, Clinton Schifcofske; Cons: Schifcofske 2; Pen: Schifcofske.

Highlanders (3) 16
Try: Adam Thomson; Con: Mike Delany; Pens: Paul Williams 2, Daniel Bowden.

Queensland Reds: Chris Latham; Digby Ioane, Morgan Turinui, Chris Siale, Clinton Schifcofske; Berrick Barnes, Sam Cordingley; John Roe (capt), David Croft, Hugh McMeniman, James Horwill, Van Humphries, Rodney Blake, Stephen Moore, Greg Holmes.

Replacements: Sean Hardman, Dayna Edwards, Ed O'Donoghue, Leroy Houston, Will Genia, Andrew Walker, Peter Hynes.

Highlanders: Paul Williams; Lucky Mulipola, Niva Ta'auso, Johnny Leota, Fetu'u Vainikolo; Daniel Bowden, Jimmy Cowan; Steven Setephano, Alando Soakai, Hayden Triggs, Tom Donnelly, Isaac Ross, Clint Newland, Jason Macdonald (capt), Jamie Mackintosh.

Replacements: David Hall, Chris King, Adam Thomson, Tim Boys, Toby Morland, Mike Delany, Brett Mather.