The smiles plastered across the Silver Ferns’ faces after their 55-49 victory over England to wrap up a heavy international season said it all.
Then came the hugs. The relief. And the tears as the reality of a rollercoaster season ending on a high came to fore.
Even interim coach Yvette McCausland-Durie got choked up talking about what a privilege it had been to lead the black dress through an unprecedented era.
"We hope we’ve made New Zealand proud," McCausland-Durie told commentators in Manchester yesterday.
The victory helped the Silver Ferns — who have been without head coach Noeline Taurua, who was stood down in September — lock away their second trophy of the season, having previously won the Taini Jamison Trophy in September.
It was one of the Silver Ferns’ strongest performances of the northern hemisphere tour — and a credit considering several players were out with illness in the days leading up to the final test.
It marked a special occasion for Kate Heffernan, who brought up her 50th test in the black dress.
"One game for New Zealand let alone 50 is pretty special, so I’m just honoured to be here," Heffernan said.
"I’m super proud of the group to get that win after I guess the long season we’ve had."
Interim captain Karin Burger echoed the wing defence’s comments.
"Obviously with everything going on, it does mean a lot that we ... have pulled through," Burger said.
"Really proud of this group, regardless of what’s been going on in the background, and not necessarily having our best performances out there consistently over the last three months.
"There’s been a lot of growth emotionally and mentally over the last three months and I know we’ll only be better for it."
It was a messy opener from both teams, but the Roses’ through-court defensive pressure was immense.
Silly errors cost the visitors as the Roses led 14-11 at the first break.
The Silver Ferns started the second quarter well when Maddy Gordon stole a pocket ball.
Funmi Fadoju and Jas Brown sat back on Nweke, trying to control the shooter’s dominance.
That gave Georgia Heffernan the chance to control the top of the circle, allowing the goal attack to come into the game more.
After early wobbles, the Roses came right. They moved Helen Housby back to goal shoot, and while she was the dominant shooter, they missed her court craft up front.
The Silver Ferns held a 27-25 lead at halftime.
The Roses came out of the break strongly and went on a run to sneak a one-goal lead.
Jackson helped restore the Silver Ferns’ lead after hunting a ball on the angle.
Lois Pearson grew in confidence to go to the post for the Roses, helping take the pressure off Housby.
But the Silver Ferns attackers put some slick ball into their shooter, threading the needle.
Fadoju tracked Mila Reuelu-Buchanan into the pocket, coming up with a clutch ball that Housby made sure of at the other end.
Their speed in the attack end started to hurt the Silver Ferns — and an offensive Silver Ferns contact restored the Roses’ lead.
Both teams went on mini-runs throughout the game, taking the sting out of each other’s attack.
Kate Heffernan picked the pocket over her player and the Silver Ferns came home strongly through the end of the third quarter to lead 42-38.
Falling out of court, Jackson popped her gain back to Karin Burger and the Silver Ferns sailed down court in one of the nicest passages of play.
The Silver Ferns charged ahead to a seven-goal lead — the largest of the game — midway through the final quarter.
Jackson’s outside arm tip was collected by Kate Heffernan as the Silver Ferns started to back each other up.
They put their foot down in the latter stages to push ahead.
