Kiwi Ferns

Krystal Murray scored just before halftime for the Barbarians, but the Black Ferns took a 20-8 lead into the break.

Veteran halfback Kendra Cocksedge and debutant lock Kelsie Wills both crossed to join Veainu, who scored in the 18th and 26th minute.

Winger Lyric Faleafaga hauled back the deficit to just five points for the Baabaas when she crossed three minutes after the restart, but from then on the Black Ferns dominated.

Cheyelle Robins-Reti also scored on debut, and Grace Brooker added a sixth for the Black Ferns as they shut out the win.

Rota has been a focal point of the Ferns team for the better part of four years since making her debut in the 2016 Anzac test victory over the Jillaroos.

No stranger to the captaincy role, Rota led the Counties Manukau women's team for three years, including over the weekend when they won their 11th straight national title by beating the Akarana Falcons in the final.

She has also captained the Maori All-Stars for two years and scored the match-winning try in their inaugural game against the Indigenous All-Stars.

The odds are stacked against New Zealand heading into Saturday's decider after they fell in their past four games against Australia, including three defeats at the Auckland Nines at the start of the year and the Anzac Test match in April.

For the first time this selection process has included talent based in Australia, with a number of players making the trip to NZ to trial with their NZ based counterparts before the squad was selected.