The Black Ferns have topped the New Zealand Barbarians in an entertaining clash in Waitakere, Auckland.
The reigning world champions scored six tries to two in a 34-15 win, in a game they never trailed but had a few scary moments against the makeshift selection side.
The Barbarians scored 15 straight points after the Black Ferns ran up a 20-0 lead within half-an-hour, but the class of the black jersey stood out in the final 28 minutes, scoring two converted tries to take the spoils at Trusts Arena.
The Black Ferns got their first try after just five minutes through Kendra Cocksedge. A brilliant lineout move resulted in the halfback darting 20 metres to dot down untouched.
The Ferns then scored three tries in eight minutes, with wing Langi Veainu nabbing a double, sandwiched by a Kelisie Wills effort.
Cocksedge was poor with the boot, failing to land any of her five attempts on the day.
The New Zealand Barbarians went through a purple patch just before and after halftime.
Tries to Krystal Murray and Lyric Faleafaga had the Barbarians right back in the contest and sniffing an upset.
The class of the Ferns shown through, and they came home on fire with two tries.
The first came from Cheyelle Robins-Reti, before Grace Brooker rounded out the scoring late-on.
The two sides are back in action again next Saturday but this time at Trafalgar Park in Nelson.
