The Rebels produced a powerful second-half showing to beat the Sunwolves 37-17 in Tokyo on Saturday.
It is the first time the Rebels, who beat the Reds last weekend, have opened a Super Rugby campaign with consecutive wins.
In an error-ridden first half, the Rebels took an early 10-0 lead thanks to unconverted tries from wing Jack Maddocks and No 8 Amanaki Mafi.
However, the Sunwolves were able to level matters by half-time with a penalty from centre Ryoto Nakamura and a late try from wing Willi Tupou.
The Rebels made a strong start to the second half as wing Sefa Naivalu powered through after a penalty from flyhalf Jack Debreczeni.
The visitors extended their lead as a well-worked move from the back of the scrum released Maddocks.
The 21-year-old scored his hat-trick try minutes later after a great run and offload from captain Adam Coleman to make it 30-10.
The Sunwolves grabbed a consolation try through No 8 Ed Quirk, but the Rebels were then awarded a penalty try.
Sunwolves – Tries: William Tupou, Ed Quirk. Conversions: Ryoto Nakamura (2). Penalty: Nakamura.
Rebels – Tries: Jack Maddocks (3), Amanaki Mafi, penalty try. Conversion: Reece Hodge. Penalty: Jack Debreczeni.
Sunwolves – 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Akihito Yamada, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Ryoto Nakamura, 11 William Tupou, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Yutaka Nagare (c), 8 Ed Quirk, 7 Lappies Labuschagne, 6 Michael Leitch, 5 Willie Britz, 4 Sam Wykes, 3 Jiwon Koo, 2 Ho Shota Horie, 1 Craig Millar.
Subs: 16 Atsushi Sakate, 17 Keita Inagaki, 18 Asaeli Ai Valu, 19 James Moore, 20 Yoshitaka Tokunaga, 21 Fumiaki Tanaka, 22 Harumichi Tatekawa, 23 Ryuji Noguchi.
Rebels – 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Tom English, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Will Genia, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Angus Cottrell, 6 Lopeti Timani, 5 Adam Coleman (c), 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Tetera Faulkner.
Subs: 16 Anaru Rangi, 17 Fereti Sa’aga, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Sam Jeffries, 20 Ross Haylett-Petty, 21 Colby Fainga’a, 22 Michael Ruru, 23 Billy Meakes.
Photo: Koki Nagahama/Getty Images
