Jamaica have fallen short of pulling off another epic Commonwealth Games upset, with New Zealand soaring to a 56-48 victory to win gold in Glasgow.

Undefeated in seven games, the Silver Ferns end their 16-year title drought after arch-rivals Australia were taken out by Jamaica in a major semi-final upset.

The world No.4 Sunshine Girls finish back-to-back runners-up, meaning their search for a maiden gold medal - from when the sport was introduced at Kuala Lumpur in 1998 - will extend to 32 years come the next edition of the Games.

New Zealand won their first netball gold medal since the 2010 Delhi Games after arriving in Glasgow amid fears they could soon be unemployed, with domestic league ANZ Premiership reportedly close to collapsing.

Their long-time coach Dame Noeline Taurua has also navigated tough times, stood down for nearly two months in late 2025 following player complaints about her communication style.

New Zealand were then made to fight for gold with one player down, after highly-rated defender Catherine Hall ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee during their pool victory over Wales.

Kiwi captain and Sunshine Coast Lightning star Karin Burger led with her actions as goal defence, while goalkeeper Kelly Jackson kept Jamaican veteran Romelda Aiken-George at bay.

And in a gripping Super Netball showdown, NSW Swifts sharpshooter Grace Nweke seemed to be barely bothered by formidable Adelaide Thunderbirds defender Shamera Sterling-Humphrey and fired off 48 goals from 54 attempts.

The Silver Ferns’ triumph is their third gold medal, putting them one behind four-time Commonwealth Games champions Australia.

The Kiwis had been absent from the past two finals since finishing runners-up in 2014, the world No.2 settling for fourth in 2018 and bronze in 2022.

Sunday’s final was the second time the Silver Ferns had beaten Jamaica in the tournament, after a 53-48 triumph in the pool stage.