Wellington, Nov 15 NZPA - The New Zealand women's rugby team overcame losing two players to the sinbin to beat England 16-3 in a rugby international at Twickenham in London today.

The Black Ferns were without flanker Justine Lavea and No 8 Casey Robertson after they were both yellow carded late in the first half.

Lavea spent 10 minutes on the sideline for not rolling away and Robertson for a dangerous tackle.

New Zealand led 6-0 at this stage after earlier penalties to first five-eighth Rebecca Mahoney before scoring a try when reduced to 13 players when Amiria Rule scored in the 40th minute.

Mahoney's conversion took the tourists out to a 13-0 halftime lead which they soon extended when Mahoney landed her third penalty.

England's only response was a penalty to first five-eighth Katy McLean.

Black Ferns coach Brian Evans said his team still had things to work on but he was pleased with the result ahead of the second test against England at the same venue next Sunday (NZT).

Before then the Black Ferns will play England A on Wednesday.

"The turning point in the game was when we only had 13 players on the field and the team rallied together to score that try," Evans said.

"This was a good win as it was our first time together as a team."

Black Ferns 16 (Amiria Rule try; Rebecca Mahoney 3 pen, con) England 3 (Katy McLean pen). Halftime: 13-0.

NZPA WGT md