Rebels’ Maddocks has Tokyo hat-trick

THE Melbourne Rebels have continued their unbeaten start to the Super Rugby season with a 37-17 demolition of the injury-hit Sunwolves in Tokyo.

It’s the first time in their eight seasons the Rebels have opened a campaign with backto-back wins, thanks to their influx of ex-Western Force stars and coach Dave Wessels.

Jack Maddocks scored a hat-trick among a haul of six tries at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium, with the Rebels picking up another bonus point following their win against the Queensland Reds.

However, the exciting young winger faces being axed from the starting side for next week’s home clash with the Brumbies to make way for the return of Test flyer Marika Koroibete from a knee injury.

The Sunwolves suffered a horror first half on the injury front, losing centre Timothy Lafaele and winger Akihito Yamada to head knocks as well as five-eighth Hayden Parker.

They also lost former Force lock Sam Wykes to a head injury in the second half.

Maddocks helped to set up his first try in the 10th minute when he threw a cut-out pass to bustling winger Sefa Naivalu, who beat a defender and then tossed it back inside to his teammate.

The Rebels were in again three minutes later through their Japanese No.8 Amanaki Mafi, taking a 10-0 lead.

Melbourne came out firing in the second half to put the icing on the cake.