Hat-trick hero Jack Maddocks might find himself relegated to the Melbourne Rebels' bench, despite helping the Super Rugby side to a 37-17 demolition job on the Sunwolves in Tokyo.
The 21-year-old scored half of their six tries on Saturday afternoon at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium to help secure a bonus point. This puts the Rebels on top of the Australian conference after maximum points from their two outings.
He is the first Rebels' player to score a hat-trick. And, it's the first time in their eight seasons that Melbourne have opened a season with two-successive wins, thanks to their influx of ex-Western Force stars and new coach Dave Wessels.
But Maddocks, tipped to be the next Wallabies' playmaker, 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.
Wessels said post match he wasn't sure what he would do with his line-up.
The coach was delighted to see his players back up their round-one victory against the Queensland Reds, saying it was important for winning to become a habit.
"We had a good win last week but, as a group, we're probably not that used to winning," Wessels said.
"We've now won twice as many games as the Rebels won last year and it was important to come here and get a bonus point.
"In reality, we're not playing anywhere near the level we set for ourselves but, if we continue to work, it will make that journey a lot easier.
The Rebels rushed from Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium to make the night flight back to Melbourne in order to give themselves an extra day to prepare for their next match against the Brumbies on Friday night at AAMI Park.
