Blues coach Tana Umaga has accused Queensland Reds of using cynical tactics in Saturday’s 25-25 draw at Suncorp Stadium.

The Blues dominated for much of the game but their indiscipline kept the hosts in the contest, before two tries in five second-half minutes came close to putting the match beyond the Auckland side.

While conceding his side have to improve in this area, Umaga claimed the 14-7 penalty count was unfairly skewed in the home side’s favour and said the Reds’ tactics in scrums and around the ruck were treated leniently by the referees.

“We’ve got to ask some questions about some of those decisions and we will,” Umaga said.

“It’s a pretty contentious issue with the scrummaging. Sometimes we felt we were dominant and still didn’t get any reward. We’ve got to have a look at that.”

The former All Blacks skipper bristled at suggestions Blues substitute Matt McGahan milked a penalty for being tackled without the ball, after seemingly light contact from Samu Kerevi.

“If he hadn’t touched (McGahan) which you can’t do when he’s chasing the ball (it wouldn’t have happened),” Umaga said.

“Cynical is lying in the ruck and just staying down and trying not to roll away. Taking the ball out of a ruck which you’re not allowed to do.”

A more pressing headache for Umaga may be his captain Jerome Kainos’ availability against the Jaguares in two weeks time, after the flanker left the ground with his right arm in a sling.

“Well see how it pulls up, at the moment its a bit sore,” Kaino said.

“I tried to do a tackle on Karmichael Hunt but it turns out he’s more solid than I thought.

“He’s used to the State of Origin hit-ups.”