(Reuters) - Highlights from Super Rugby week 15 matches:
SUNWOLVES 7 REBELS 52
Flyhalf Quade Cooper's ability to put players into space contributed to four of the Rebels' eight tries as they stayed in contention for the Australian conference title with a record win over the Sunwolves in Tokyo.
Cooper's wide passing into space led to tries to Marika Koroibete (two), Angus Cottrell and Dane Haylett-Petty while Jack Maddocks (two), Michael Ruru and Jordan Uelese also crossed for the visitors, who lost scrumhalf Will Genia shortly after halftime when he appeared to be knocked unconscious in a tackle.
The Rebels (33) remained in touch with the Australian-conference leading ACT Brumbies (34) and moved seven points clear of the third-placed New South Wales Waratahs, who play the Jaguares later on Saturday in Sydney.
It was the most points the Rebels have scored in a Super Rugby match and surpassed their largest winning margin even with Jason Emery grabbing a consolation try for the Sunwolves.
BRUMBIES 22 BULLS 10
Wallabies centre Tevita Kuridrani scored a hat-trick of tries as the Brumbies extended their lead at the top of the Australian conference with victory over South African leaders the Bulls in Canberra on Friday.
Kuridrani's centre partner Irae Simone added his first Super Rugby try as the Brumbies moved to 34 points, giving them a six-point advantage over the Melbourne Rebels (28), who face the lowly but unpredictable Sunwolves in Tokyo on Saturday.
Hanro Liebenberg scored a try for the visitors when they held a man advantage in the first half with Tom Cusack sinbinned after a succession of penalties.
The Bulls remained on 32 points, the same as Argentina's Jaguares, who play the New South Wales Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday.
CHIEFS 19 REDS 13
The Chiefs tackled themselves into a standstill and twice defied an 11-man driving maul in the final five minutes to hold off the Reds at Waikato Stadium and keep alive their very slim chances of making the playoffs.
Pita Sowakula, Atu Moli and Etene Nanai-Seturo scored first half tries for the Chiefs, who spent virtually all of the second spell defending as the Reds controlled the ball but were unable to breach the home side's impressive defensive line.
Taniela Tupou scored the only points of the second half with a try from a sustained buildup as the visitors hammered at the Chiefs' line. The visitors forced the Chiefs to make 240 tackles in the game. The Reds made less than 90.
Referee Angus Gardner initially awarded two tries to the Reds and one to the Chiefs in the first half but television match official Glenn Newman overruled all three.
(Compiled by Greg Stutchbury; Editing by Catherine Evans/Amlan Chakraborty)
