The Queensland Reds have moved one step closer to making the finals for the first time since 2013 after smashing the lowly Western Force 57-5 on the Gold Coast.
Playmaker James O'Connor was instrumental in the 52-point victory, throwing the final pass for three of the Reds' four tries.
His night was capped by a try in the 70th minute as he finished off an extraordinary counterattacking effort that started with winger Filpo Daugunu splitting the Force's tired defence and saw Wallabies tight-head prop Taniela Tupou throw a pinpoint playmaker's pass to Fraser McReight, who was tackled inside the 22 metre line before the Reds fly-half scored.
In the process, O'Connor became the first player in Super Rugby history to score more than 100 points at three different franchises.
It was a case of the Reds being too big, too powerful and too quick for their domestic opponents who remain winless with just two rounds remaining in their return to Super Rugby.
The massive bonus point win saw the Reds (21) climb three points clear at the top of the Super Rugby AU standings but the Brumbies (18) have the chance to reclaim top spot when they take on the Waratahs (15) on Saturday in the nation's capital.
Daugunu scored a first-half double while half-back Tate McDermott continues to impress and showed his electric pace with a second-half double.
A week after being forced to make 240 tackles - 186 of which came in the second half - in their proud 19-3 win over the Rebels, the Reds' pack were outstanding against the Force.
The tight-five - led by Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Brandon Paenga-Amosa who was excellent across the park - dominated the collision while also showing the deft short passing that will have new Wallabies coach Dave Rennie rubbing his hands together about the talent on display in Australia.
Exciting back-row Liam Wright, McReight and Harry Wilson showed too that they could one day feature as the Wallabies loose-forwards trio continually causing the Force grief either side of the ball.
"I thought we were a bit more clinical on taking our opportunities and sticking to simple things," Wright said.
After an emotional past month following the death of Jordan Petaia's father and a roller-coaster past four matches on the field too, the Reds will have the chance to reset with a bye next week and Wright said the week off would go down well with the playing group.
"It'll be good. Back to Suncorp and we'll take the bye," the flanker said.
"We're probably ready for it, a few sore bodies so we'll be ready to play some more footy in two weeks."
For the Force their season risks spiraling out of control after their sixth straight defeat.
After four heartbreaking late defeats, the Force ran out of steam and simply couldn't stay with the Reds.
"Tough day at the office," Force captain Ian Prior said.
"Credit to the Reds they played really well. We didn't help ourselves any favours in certain areas but you can't question the effort and the commitment of our boys.
"It was a bit patchy in the first half, a bit of toing and froing, we found our groove a little bit in the second half in some patches but again the Reds are playing well and they're confident and they made the most of their opportunities."
Prior said his side had to remain focused over the next fortnight to prove their worth ahead of an important broadcast deal.
"We're playing for pride," the Super Rugby veteran said.
"I think we're playing good in patches. We're playing good in patches but, again, we seem to do that every week we've got to try and string it together for 80 minutes."
The Reds scored two first half tries but could have had more had they not bombed at least two tries, with Tupou's comical error on the stroke of half-time the biggest blunder.
Daugunu crossed after 15 minutes, running a superb line on the inside off O'Connor from a maul.
Shortly after, it was O'Connor again who was pulling the strings as he ran to the line and somehow got a one-handed offload away to his winger who scored after 29 minutes.
O'Connor's penalty after 37 minutes saw the home side open up a 15-0 lead.
It would have been more had Tupou not slipped metres short of the line after breaking through the Force's line near halfway.
Needing to score the first to have any chance of mounting a comeback former Reds hooker Andrew Ready got the Force on the scoreboard, finishing off a rolling maul to score.
But from then on it was all the Reds.
Kieran Longbottom was yellow carded after 52 minutes and his teammates would too have wanted a place to hide over the next half-hour as McDermott scored a quick fire brace through sheer speed.
O'Connor and Bryce Hegarty, who was excellent off the bench coming on midway through the first half, and replacement lock Tuaina Tualima scored late tries.
Of concern for the Reds, however, are injuries to midfield duo Josh Josh Flook and Hamish Stewart, who were both forced from the field due to injuries in the first-half.
The Reds have the bye next weekend while the Force have a difficult assignment against the Brumbies in Canberra.
