The Vikings had a chance to steal it at the death but were pipped 42-40 to drop their first game of the National Rugby Championship season.

It was another shoot-out for the Vikings who have averaged more than 40 points a game in their first three hit-outs, while conceding 36 points per game.

Brisbane raced out to a 21-7 lead, before the Vikings came storming back into the contest and drew level, but the home side struck on half-time to lead 28-21 at the break.

The Vikings tightened their defence in the second stanza but a Quade Cooper-led City moved two tries ahead with 10 minutes remaining.

Wallabies lock Kane Douglas was yellow-carded for repeated infringements in the 75th-minute, before ACT Brumbies flyer James Dargaville crossed to set up a thrilling finish.

Ryan Longergan converted from the sideline to close within two points but the Vikings failed to take the ensuing kick-off and Cooper booted the ball into touch to end the game.

"Those little mistakes hurt you in close games, but I was more so disappointed with the first half not getting any continuity and turnover ball in the early phases," Vikings coach Tim Sampson said.

"On five occasions we didn't even get through the first phase, so there were some missed opportunities there and we ran them out to a pretty healthy lead but we worked our way back into the game

"There was a period there in the first half where we dropped off a lot of tackles but we've certainly tightened things up there in the second half which was pleasing.

"We're still letting opposition get over the try line too easily and the big take away is not letting the opposition get away to a substantial lead like that, but otherwise it was a pretty good all round performance."

Wallabies and Brumbies scrumhalf Joe Powell flew to Brisbane on game day and only joined the squad two hours before kick-off, before putting in a strong 65-minute shift.

"Darcy Swain played well for his first start and Tom Banks and Andy Muirhead were good, while our bench was excellent again," Sampson said.