The Queensland Reds have turned on the razzle dazzle to surge into the Super W semi-finals with an ominous 45-22 victory over reigning champions Fijiana Drua.
Cashing in on the Drua's ill-discipline, the rampant Reds ran in seven tries to four at Scifleet Stadium to consolidate second spot on the ladder ahead of next Sunday's sudden-death playoffs in Sydney.
Tellingly, while the Reds set up a semi-final against the third-placed Brumbies, the Drua's last-round defeat means the defending champions will play unbeaten minor premiers the NSW Waratahs in the other do-or-die encounter at Concord Oval.
The Drua beat the Waratahs in last year's title decider before suffering their first-ever loss in the competition to NSW in a 31-5 round-three drubbing at the same semi-final venue two weeks ago.
The Drua paid the price on Sunday for having props Bitila Tawake and Joma Rubuti yellow-carded either side of halftime as the champions crashed to an untimely third consecutive loss.
From only two points down, the Fijians found themselves trailing 38-17 by the time Rubuti returned from the sin bin in the 56th minute for a heavy late hit on Reds five-eighth Carys Dallinger.
The foul play came immediately after Dallinger's pinpoint cross-field kick set up Queensland's first try of the second half to centre Cecilia Smith.
Dallinger also put winger Heleina Young in three minutes later to give the Reds a 21-point lead that they refused to relinquish.
Queensland had opened the scoring with a try in the first minute to flanker Carola Kreis and continued to dominate early.
But despite being camped in Fijiana territory, it was the Drua who struck next through prop Siteri Rasolea in the 18th minute.
Livia Naidei's conversion nudged the Drua ahead 7-5 before the Fijians offered up a candidate for try of the season from the ensuing kick-off.
Hooker Litia Marama started it with a beautiful flick pass and then finished it with sheer power, dragging Dallinger over the line.
But losing Tawake to the sin bin in the 25th minute after repeated infringements from her side proved the turning point.
First No.8 Haidee Head capitalised on the Reds' one-player advantage following a break from winger Ivania Wong.
When centre Alana Elisaia crossed shortly after, suddenly the Reds had snatched a 19-12 halftime lead.
It was one-way traffic in the second half as skipper Shannon Parry, Smith, Young and replacement fullback Ellie Draper all crossed for Queensland.
"Really pleased to get the result and we're through to the playoffs, which is really pleasing," Parry said.
The Reds beat the Brumbies 20-10 in their round-three clash this season and will enter the semis as favourites to advance to the grand final.
