A barnstorming performance from Ngani Laumape has lifted the Hurricanes to their third straight Super Rugby Aotearoa victory.
Laumape terrorised the Blues defence with several powerful, tackle-busting runs that kept his side on the front foot for long periods of an epic contest.
The 29-27 win, sealed by a Jordie Barret sideline conversion with three minutes to play, has ignited the Hurricanes' Super Rugby hopes, with the almighty Crusaders awaiting next week.
Laumape gave Blues defenders a sign of what was to come in the fourth minute, beating Beauden Barrett for pace, before rolling over Otere Black for the games first try.
What followed was a pulsating match, that saw several lead changes and swings in momentum.
On his return to Wellington's Sky Stadium, Beauden Barrett silenced the boo-boys, slicing through weak Hurricanes midfield defence to run 30 metres and score under the posts to give his new side the lead.
The Blues lineout proved their best attacking weapon of the night, which was evident when Dalton Papalii extended the visitors lead after 28 minutes.
But the Hurricanes were sparked back into action through Laumape's devastating running game, which led to the second try of the game for the hosts.
Reed Prinsep scored from an attacking lineout to bring his side back within a penalty goal as the half wound down.
An injury-time penalty goal drew the sides level heading into the sheds, setting up an equally exhilarating second half.
The Hurricanes took the lead through a Dane Coles try three minutes after the resumption, but they couldn't make the most of 15 minutes of total dominance, giving away silly penalties and coughing up possession.
The Blues swung into action with 20 minutes to play following their first attack of the second spell.
Akira Ioane's converted try from yet another attacking lineout levelled te scores and when impressive Blues hooker Kurt Eklund repeated the diose four minutes later, the Hurricanes were in danger of their season aspirations disintegrating.
The Blues couldn't capitalise on long periods of possession but looked to have done enough to seal a much-needed win.
Step up Laumape.
The All Blacks second-five powered through a Papalii tackle to kick-start the Hurricanes final surge which led to the game-defining moment.
The Blues were pinged for not rolling away at the ruck as the Hurricanes attacked following Laumape's run and from the resulting lineout, replacement hooker Asafo Aumua crashed over to score the game-tieing try.
Jordie Barrett nailed the sideline conversion in heavy rain to the roar of the 20,000 odd-crowd at the Cake Tin to give his side a two-point lead that wouldn't lose.
The win lifts the Hurricanes to without a doubt of the Blues who picked up a bonus point for the efforts on Saturday night.
The Hurricanes can do themselves and the Blues a favour next week if they can turn over the table-topping Crusaders in Christchurch, while the Blues host the Chiefs.
Super Rugby table:
Crusaders 18, Blues 13, Hurricanes 12, Highlanders 6, Chiefs 3
Hurricanes 29 (Laumape, Coles, Prinsep, Aumua tries, J. Barrett 3con, 1pen) beat Blues 27 (B. Barrett, Papalii. Eklund, Ioane tries, Black 1con 1pen, B. Barrett 1con)
