A second-half blitz led to the Vikings' first loss of the NRC season as Queensland Country claimed a 36-23 win at Bond University on Sunday.

The Vikings defended their way through the match as they struggled to gain possession but Nick Scrivener admits it couldn't be sustained.

"When we got the ball we did well and scored some tries but it was a total loss of possession for us," Scrivener said.

"I thought we did well given how much defence we did in the first-half to score some long-range tries, but there wasn't enough of it"

Queensland struck an early lead as Harry Hoopert ploughed over the line in the fifth minute and Carter Gordon converted the honours.

Tom Wright copped ten minutes in the sin-bin for an intentional knock-down, giving Queensland a chance to pounce with an extra-man.

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Queenland's Tate McDermott flew through a small gap after a lineout to extend the hosts' lead but Canberra bounced back as Mack Hansen scored a double to salvage the first half.

Muirhead found a gap and threw a chest pass out wide to Hansen, who spun past two defenders to score in the 26th minute.

Canberra rode on the momentum and narrowed the margin to one-point as Hansen dived over for a second try three minutes later.

Queensland replied with Joey Fittock try but fullback Andy Muirhead pounced on a Pulu pass to score in the final minute. Lonergan's conversion gave Canberra a one-point lead at halftime.

Canberra came back firing and pushed their lead to four-points after a penalty kick, but three unanswered tries saw Queensland seal the win.

"Going into the break one-point up was a really good effort but we couldn't sustain it," Scrivener said.

"There were some costly turn overs, counter rucks and we couldn't get the ball of them. It was total loss of possession for us.

"We're really disappointed not to get the biscuits."

Canberra will be sweating on the fitness of Blake Enever for their clash with Brisbane City after the lock came off with a bicep injury.

NRC ROUND TWO

Queensland Country 36 (Hoopert 5', McDermett 23', Fittock 35', Francis 53', Stewart 65', Wilson tries; Gordon 3 conversions) bt Canberra Vikings 23 (Hansen 26' 29', Muirhead 39' tries; Lonergan, 1 conversion, 2 penalties)