The Hurricanes were made to work hard for their 36-12 Investec Super Rugby win over the Rebels at Westpac Stadium in Wellington tonight.

Replacement Hurricanes wing Nehe Milner-Skudder scored a late double to give the Hurricanes a five tries to nil, bonus-point victory - their sixth straight win to start their 2015 campaign.

Despite the score, the Rebels were in the contest for much of the match and the Hurricanes showed tremendous courage under fire to repel waves of Rebels attack deep inside their own territory.

Throughout the match, and particularly in the middle stages of the second half, the Rebels were able to build pressure by keeping play close to the rucks and starving the Hurricanes of possession.

Trailing 10-12 at halftime, the Hurricanes twice broke out from inside their own territory to score long-range tries, earning a 24-12 lead heading into a hard-fought final quarter and then winning several big defensive plays. Halfback TJ Perenara, in his 50th match for the Hurricanes, was also sin-binned with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Perenara had scored the only try of the first spell, but the boot of Rebels fullback Mike Harris proved the difference as the Rebels disrupted the Hurricanes at the breakdowns.

After conceding an early penalty, the Hurricanes ran back a Rebels clearing kick and No. 8 Victor Vito sent Perenara over in the corner to score his try. Fullback Jason Woodward added the extras from the sideline and the Hurricanes led 7-3.

Hurricanes first five-eighth James Marshall caught the Rebels napping by taking a quick tap penalty inside his 22, chasing deep into Rebels territory. The Rebels scrambled in defence and cleared the danger.

Harris kicked to put the Rebels ahead 9-7 after half an hour.

Woodward and Harris exchanged further penalties to see out the first half.

The Hurricanes were forced to make a patient start to the second half as the Rebels continued their tactics of keeping ball in hand and building multiple phases.

Rebels hooker Pat Leafa soon broke through the defensive line but spilled the ball forward. The Hurricanes counterattacked through Woodward who booted the ball down field for the chasers to pour through.

The Hurricanes won a penalty, kicked for the corner and were soon rewarded with their second try of the match to wing Cory Jane in the corner. Woodward calmly slotted the sideline conversion and the Hurricanes now led 17-12.

The Rebels pressed back on to the ascendancy with another long period with ball in hand. The Hurricanes defended stoutly and waited for the turnover, which came for flyhalf Marshall to boot ahead up past halfway.

The ball sat up perfectly for the Hurricanes players and openside flanker Callum Gibbins galloped away to score his maiden Super Rugby try. Woodward added the extras, extending the Hurricanes' lead to 24-12.

The Hurricanes made a terrific try-saving tackle on Rebels second five-eighth Mitch Inman after an attacking scrum a little while later. Inman was held up over the line by Perenara and Victor Vito.

The Rebels maintained the pressure, leading to Perenara being sin-binned on his own line.

The Hurricanes dug deep and clawed their way out of danger. Eventually, a Marshall stab kick was regathered by replacement wing Nehe Milner-Skudder who linked up with replacement prop Chris Eves to almost rein in a tough inside pass and score.

Their bonus point try came soon after, with Milner-Skudder powering over to make it 29-12.

Milner-Skudder then added the icing on the win with the final play of the game, when he found himself on the end of the chain to score in the corner in front of the players' tunnel.

Conrad Smith captained the Hurricanes for a record 50th time in this match, surpassing the 49 matches that Rodney So'oialo skippered the side in.

The Hurricanes host the Stormers in Wellington next Friday night in their Easter weekend fixture.

Scores:

Hurricanes 36 (Nehe Milner-Skudder 2, Callum Gibbins, TJ Perenara, Cory Jane tries; Jason Woodward 4 con, pen)beat the Rebels 12 (Mike Harris 4 pen). HT: Rebels 12-10.

The scoring action (by minute):

7th: Mike Harris penalty. Rebels 3-0

12th: TJ Perenara try. Hurricanes 5-3

13th: Jason Woodward conversion. Hurricanes 7-3

28th: Mike Harris penalty. Hurricanes 7-6

31st: Mike Harris penalty. Rebels 9-7

39th: Jason Woodward penalty. Hurricanes 10-9

40th: Mike Harris penalty. Rebels 12-10

45th: Cory Jane try. Hurricanes 15-12

46th: Jason Woodward conversion. Hurricanes 17-12

57th: Callum Gibbins try. Hurricanes 22-12

58th: Jason Woodward conversion. Hurricanes 24-12

77th Nehe Milner-Skudder try. Hurricanes 29-12

80th: Nehe Milner-Skudder try. Hurricanes 34-12

81st: Jason Woodward conversion. Hurricanes 36-12

The Hurricanes team was:

1. Reggie Goodes Replaced by Chris Eves, 71st minute
2. Motu Matu'u Replaced by Brayden Mitchell, 71st minute
3. Ben May Replaced by Jeff Toomaga-Allen, 51st minute
4. Jeremy Thrush Replaced by Mark Abbott, 58th minute
5. James Broadhurst
6. Brad Shields
7. Callum Gibbins Replaced by Adam Hill, 74th minute
8. Victor Vito
9. TJ Perenara
10. James Marshall Replaced by Otere Black, 78th minute
11. Matt Proctor Replaced by Nehe Milner-Skudder, 71st minute
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith (c)
14. Cory Jane Replaced by Chris Smylie, 73rd minute
15. Jason Woodward

Reserves
16. Brayden Mitchell
17. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen
18. Chris Eves
19. Mark Abbott
20. Adam Hill
21. Chris Smylie
22. Otere Black
23. Nehe Milner-Skudder