The Hurricanes secured their second Super Rugby victory over the Blues season when they beat the Aucklanders 35-19 with a bonus point.
The loss was the Blues seventh consecutive loss of the season and takes their record for 2012 to played ten and won one.
The Hurricanes beat the Blues 25-26 earlier this season in Auckland and this second victory takes their record to played ten, won five and lost five.
The Hurricanes exposed the Blues defensive weaknesses as they outscored the visitors by five tries to one.
The Hurricanes, coming off two losses themselves, showed attacking flair and exploited the Blues' defensive frailties to secure a much-needed bonus point that represents a lifeline for their finals ambitions.
Former Hurricane Piri Weepu, who defected to the Blues after a controversial clear-out by coach Mark Hammett, notched four penalties in the first half, the first opening the scoring after three minutes.
But the Hurricanes hit back when Conrad Smith went over for the five-pointer.
Chris Lowrey almost clawed one back for the Blues when he charged forward from the back of a scrum but was held up in-goal by TJ Perenara.
The Blues dominated possession but were unable to find the tryline, with the Hurricanes scoring against the run of play when Cory Jane knocked down a loose pass then set off down the wing, passing to Andre Taylor for the try.
Fly-half Beauden Barrett made it 16-12 for the Hurricanes late in the half.
The scores remained unchanged until a run from Barrett in the 57th-minute left the Blues defence flat-footed, opening the way for Julian Savea to score in the corner.
Staring down the barrel, the Blues almost conceded another try when Perenara broke through the defensive line and kicked the ball to forward Reg Goodes, who was held up in-goal.
Perenara made no mistake from the resulting scrum, darting across for a try after receiving a quick pass, with Barrett adding the conversion to make it 28-12.
The Blues salvaged a consolation from Benson Stanley seven minutes from time after a neat kick and chase by Rene Ranger, only to gift the Hurricanes another five points with a stray pass to Jason Eaton in the last minute.
Final Score Hurricanes 35 (16) Blues 19 (12)
Scorers
Hurricanes
Tries - C. Smith, A. Taylor, J. Savea, TJ, Perenara, J. Eaton
Pen - B. Barrett 2
Con - B. Barrett 2
Drop -
Cards -
Blues
Tries - B. Stanley
Pen - P. Weepu 4
Con - L. Munro
Drop -
Cards -
Match Officials
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1: Mike Fraser
Assistant Ref 2: Francisco Pastrana
TMO: Garratt Williamson
Teams
Hurricanes
1. Ben May, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 4. Jeremy Thrush, 5. Jason Eaton, 6. Faifili Levave, 7. Karl Lowe, 8. Victor Vito, 9. TJ Perenara, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Julian Savea, 12. Tim Bateman, 13. Conrad Smith (c), 14. Cory Jane, 15. Andre Taylor.
Replacements: 16. Motu Matu’u, 17. Reg Goodes, 18. Jack Lam, 19. Brad Shields, 20. Chris Eaton, 21. Charlie Ngatai, 22. Alapati Leiua.
Blues
1. Tevita Mailau, 2. Tom McCartney, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 4. Filo Paulo, 5. Ali Williams, 6. Chris Lowrey, 7. Luke Braid (c), 8. Peter Saili, 9. Piri Weepu, 10. Michael Hobbs, 11. George Moala, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Benson Stanley, 14. Rene Ranger, 15. Hadleigh Parkes.
Replacements: 16. James Parsons, 17. Angus Ta'avao, 18. Liaki Moli, 19. Daniel Braid, 20. Alby Mathewson, 21. Lachie Munro, 22. David Raikuna.
