For me it is Ekenasio (Wells)
When she 1st came to NZ and was rushed into the Ferns, and has basically bench sat for 3 years at the Firebirds.
I really thought it was a strange decision, didn’t see anything that said wow amazing.
She then faded away from the Ferns, got back into the Ferns had some nice moments, then got pregnant. Had a awful 2018 Com Games (most of the Ferns did). Bench sat at the Pulse for 2018. Got dropped again after a shocker against England.
Meels then went away and did some super hard work, her performance at the 2019 WC was without doubt the best of any player there.
For a bench sitting Firebird, to now a world champion Silver Fern and captain is a very special feat.