A strong second half from the Waratahs was not enough to turn around a 14-point half-time deficit, eventually going down 25 -17 the Reds in Brisbane.
Quade Cooper and his men from Brisbane tested any preseason confidence the Tahs had mustered with two tries and a penalty goal to lead 17-3 going into the break.
Tries from Israel Folau and Ben Volavola levelled matters with 20 minutes to go.
But a penalty and a charging run from Ed Quirk put the Reds ahead and kept them there.
Both sides can take positives from the game – The Reds notching a badly needed win after their first-round loss to the Brumbies and the Waratahs proving they are prepared to give this running rugby thing a go.
Scorers:
REDS: Ben Tapuai 2, Dom Shipperley tries Michael Harris 2 cons 2 pens
WARATAHS: Israel Folau, Ben Volavola tries Bernard Foley 2 cons Brendan McKibbin pen
Referee: Chris Pollock.
Crowd: 35,801.
