Blues have something to sing about - for now

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The Blues' season is all but over, despite their 19-17 win over the Hurricanes.

While the David Nucifora-coached side re-entered the top-four immediately after the win in front of 37,352 people at Eden Park, they ultimately needed a bonus-point victory to realistically stay in the hunt.

Mathematically they still have a chance of making the top-four. But it will need a series of other results to go there way over the next 36 hours.

And the Blues weren't wanting for opportunities to put more tries on the board, being denied three times after crossing the line during a five-minute period in the second half when they were red-hot on attack.

If their season is over, it will end Nucifora's tenure as coach and Troy Flavell's tenure as captain.

A host of top-profile players, including Nick Evans, Isa Nacewa, Justin Collins and possibly Daniel Braid, have also played their last matches for the franchise.

The Hurricanes also gained a bonus point, but their existence in the top four now is also looking shaky.

The Blues showed good enterprise from the kick-off, including being able to steal a Hurricanes' line-out. But some strong defence from the Hurricanes kept them at bay.

And it was the Blues who scored first, with Nick Evans slotting a penalty in the seventh minute.

In perfect conditions for rugby, both sides opted to keep the ball in hand with regularity. For the Hurricanes, Jerry Collins and Ma' Nonu offered immediate impact.

Rookie first-five Willie Ripia initially showed he isn't out of his depth at Super 14 level.

But Nonu continued to provide the spark, breaking the Blues' defensive line in the 15th minute, passing to Rodney So'oialo on 30 metres from the opposition try-line, only for his captain to spill the ball.

Nonu's break was the first time either defence had been cut through, with strong defending ultimately the name of the game.

But that all ended in the 18th minute, when right wing Hosea Gear bursting through some feeble defence to cross for the first try of the match. Piri Weepu converted.

Gear made it two tries for the night less than two minutes later, charging down an attempted Evans clearance to score near the posts. Weepu converted.

The Blues needed to hit-back immediately if they were to stay in the match, and they did that via lock Anthony Boric after he ran through the attempted tackle of Weepu. Evans' conversion was successful, albeit with some help from the uprights.

But there was only a short time to celebrate, with the Blues reduced to 14-men in the 31st minute when Nick Williams was sin-binned after transgressing at the breakdown. Weepu landed the subsequent penalty for a 17-10 lead.

Evans then responded with a penalty after Tim Fairbrother was penalised for a dangerous tackle.

Ref Bryce Lawrence then dipped into his pocked for a second time in the 39th minute, this time yellow-carding Tamati Ellison for a late shot on David Smith.

Evans again landed the three-pointer on halftime, with the Hurricanes leading 17-16.

The Blues started the second half with more spark and depth in their back-line, unleashing several telling attacks. But again it was strong defence which kept them at bay.

Jerome Kaino came close to reaching the try-line in the 45th minute, carving through several defenders, including Jerry Collins.

Moments later Smith crossed the line, but the TMO ruled he had been held up.

From the resulting passage the TMO then ruled Kaino, who was continuing his strong form, was forced into touch before he grounded the ball.

The resurgent Blues were then held up over the line in the 51st minute as they poured on the pressure.

The defence shown by the Hurricanes was outstanding, eventually forcing a turnover in the 55th minute after spending much of the second half deep in their own territory.

They were further helped when the Blues' lineout struggled to retain its own ball.

The Blues finally got on the board when Evans landed a penalty in the 60th minute.

But it needed the most-desperate of defence from the Blues to repel a strong counter-attack soon after the restart, with Nonu tackled near the try-line.

The Blues were then able to force a turnover and ease the pressure.

But the Hurricanes came back at them, gaining quick-fire free-kicks 5m from the Blues' try-line. And again the Blues held them out.

The momentum had again turned, with the Blues looking incredibly shaky as their season threatened to slip away.

With three minutes remaining, Ripia lined up a dropped kick attempt which was off-target. A second followed soon after.

He then unleashed a third from short-range which again strayed wide.

BLUES 19 (A Boric try; N Evans 4 pen, con), HURRICANES 17 (H Gear 2 tries; P Weepu 2 con, pen). HT: 17-16.