A tireless shift up front from the Hurricanes forwards has led to a bonus-point 36-15 win over the Blues at Eden Park on Friday night.

Right from the start it looked like the Hurricanes were determined to set a decent platform from their forwards and they never relented despite a determined Blues effort.

Hooker Ricky Riccitelli got things going for the Hurricanes early, finishing off a lineout drive before the Blues struck back after a dominant period of play.

There was no denying how determined the Blues were to break a long drought of losses at home and there was much to admire about the way they defended late in the half to stop the Hurricanes extending their 14-8 advantage.

Halftime brought something not often seen when referee Jaco Peyper retired for the evening after feeling unwell.

He was replaced by Paul Williams in the second half, a 40 minutes that was largely dominated by the Hurricanes as the front eight really lifted their game to put plenty of pressure on the Blues.

The Hurricanes knew they had to get things going after the impressive Ofa Tu’ungafasi scored and that’s exactly what they did as they increased the tempo in the second half.

They were helped a lot from the energy they were getting off the bench as TJ Perenara returned from his injury break to give the side a lot of go forward and direction, not to mention speed.

In the end the Blues could not live with the Hurricanes as the better side prevailed, scoring their bonus point try late in the game.

The Hurricanes now return to Wellington to prepare to face the Reds at Westpac Stadium next Friday night.

Hurricanes 36 (Ricky Riccitelli, Gareth Evans, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Sam Lousi, Matt Proctor tries; Beauden Barrett 4 cons, pen)

Blues 15 (Orbyn Leger, Ofa Tu'ungafasi tries; Stephen Perofeta pen, con)

Halftime: 14-8