Auckland's Blues confirmed their place at the top of rugby's Super 12 at the end of the round robin phase with a solid, if uninspiring, 29-17 defeat of their southern neighbours, the Wellington Hurricanes.

The Blues led 19-10 at halftime in a match which really failed to live up to the hype which had produced, for the first time in three years, a Super 12 full house on a perfect Eden Park.

The Blues were already guaranteed a home semi-final next weekend, while the Hurricanes -- who are also already in the semis -- had the opportunity to play for a home semi by defeating the Blues.

Now their fate will be determined by games later in the weekend, although it is likely they will be back here for a semi-final with the Blues.

As the Blues notched up a dangerously awesome penalty count, the Hurricanes dominated possession in what was a relatively unexciting match.

The first try came 11 minutes into the game when Blues wizard Carlos Spencer set up a length of the field run which climaxed in a Sam Tuitupou try.

Four minutes later Doug Howlett of the Blues notched up his 100th first-class try with a straight forward effort under the posts.

He got his second of the match 25 minutes into the game when he dived under the posts as he was tackled.

He rolled, and in an action that would please followers of rugby's complicated rule book, managed to dot the ball at the base of the goalpost padding. It took the video referee to award it.

Wellington captain Tana Umaga tried to inspire the Hurricanes with a try that came after a relentless and long series of assaults right on the Blues line.

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