Rugby World Cup favourites New Zealand and twice winners Australia flexed their considerable muscles to secure an untroubled passage into the quarter-finals.
The southern hemisphere powerhouses joined Tri-Nations rivals South Africa in reaching the last eight with a game to spare and can now focus on the business end of the tournament.
New Zealand barely slipped out of second gear in overrunning Scotland 40-0 at Murrayfield, while Australia thrashed Fiji 55-12 in Montpellier.
The All Blacks, after their final Pool C game with Romania next Saturday, will head for Cardiff and a probable quarter-final with hosts France. Australia's reward for topping Pool B will be a last-eight meeting with either England or Tonga in Marseille.
In scoring six tries against a below-strength Scotland, New Zealand took their tally in their three one-sided matches so far to 33.
Scotland were demolished in the scrum and coach Graham Henry praised his forwards.
"I think we scrummed the best we have scrummed in the tournament which is a pleasing aspect. Our lineout went pretty well and our defence was okay," he said.
Henry was less impressed by a number of handling errors. "We made a lot of unforced errors, which was frustrating sitting in the stand"
It was a game to remember for New Zealand, wing Doug Howlett set a national record of 47 tries when he touched down for his side's second score after 15 minutes. After surpassing Christian Cullen's benchmark, Howlett extended his tally to 48 late in the game.
Scotland had rested the majority of their first-choice players to keep them fresh for the final group game against Italy on September 29th which now becomes a shootout for a last eight place.
Australia, who head to Bordeaux for their final pool game with Canada on Saturday, possessed too much quality for Fiji and scored seven tries to seal a bonus point for the third match in a row.
Australian inside centre Matt Giteau celebrated his 50th test appearance with two tries, four conversions and three penalties for a personal haul of 27 points while left wing Drew Mitchell completed a hat-trick of tries.
The Wallabies victory was soured though by a shoulder injury sustained by utility back Scott Staniforth and may have to call up a replacement.