The Silver Ferns secured title on Sunday with 67-56 victory over Jamaica in final at Copper Box Arena
Monday 27 January 2020 16:27, UK
After an enthralling Vitality Nations Cup competition between England, South Africa, Jamaica and New Zealand, we take a look back at some of the individuals who excelled over the course of the four matchdays.
From day one in Nottingham to the final weekend in London, the tournament provided fascinating insights into all four nations' development as they commence new international cycles.
Across the week, the world champions highlighted their considerable strength in depth and were rewarded with a clean sweep of victories and the title.
Jamaica, under new head coach Connie Francis, looked much more like themselves and started to put to bed the memories of their disappointing Netball World Cup.
England's Vitality Roses relished playing on home soil with head coach Jess Thirlby seeing players step up, while SPAR Proteas built as the competition went on.
Here we take a look at some of the individuals who drove their team's work...
Let's start with the official player of the tournament, the Silver Ferns' 29-year-old defender.
From start to finish, Watson was prolific in New Zealand's defensive end and her partnership with Phoenix Karaka built as the competition went on.
The vice-captain's exceptional elevation played havoc with all of the attackers around her, as did her considerable wingspan.
The two key elements resulted in jaw-dropping intercepts, both inside and outside of the 'D', and her fitness ensured that her tips were not wasted either.
Another defender who stood up for her team over the course of the Vitality Nations Cup was housed within England's defensive end.
Stacey Francis' performances marked her first outings back on home soil since she decided to return into the international set-up, and she thrived on home courts.
The 32-year-old played across both the GD and GK positions and had the experience and knowledge to seamlessly adapt to her different defensive partners.
In the Roses' third-place play-off, it was Francis' final interception which swung the goal-for-goal match. The moment was just-reward for a series of performances that had been built on hard work.
The Sunshine Girls' Centre was appointed as their vice-captain ahead of the competition and she immediately made her presence known during their first match.
Her player of the match performance against South Africa in Nottingham set her tone and she went on to be a constant presence in their mid-court.
Her seemingly endless energy ensured strong transition from defence into attack and alongside Khadijah Williams, she fed Jhaniele Fowler well.
At just 22-years-old, Maia Wilson's international career is still in its infancy and after Maria Folau's retirement, she has firmly stuck her hand in the air to spend a considerable amount of time in New Zealand's shooting circle.
Wilson actually made her international debut in 2016 but after that, missed out on selection for Commonwealth Games and last year's World Cup.
Over the last 12 months, she's worked incredibly hard on her conditioning and fitness and the rewards were clear throughout this tournament.
The shooter, who scored 151 of New Zealand's 250 goals, took home two player of the match awards in total.
The second came from the final, and the competition-deciding match was her first full 60-minute game for the Silver Ferns.
The SPAR Proteas' competition perhaps was not as positive as they'd have liked when it came to their results, but the outfit will take plenty away anyway.
Within their mid-court, Khanyisa Chawane's energy was a talking point. Whenever she was on the court Chawane didn't let her foot off the gas for a moment.
Her flair was epitomised by a beautiful behind-the-back pass against the Silver Ferns and a greater knowledge of when to use it (or not) will come as she develops this season at Team Bath Netball.
Sky Sports is your home of netball and is back on your screens next month when the new Vitality Superleague season gets underway with all 10 teams in action at the Season Opener from Arena Birmingham on Saturday, February 22.
