A close win over School Sports Australia in the pools had given Aotearoa an early confidence boost, but Tayla said the team had made sure not to lose focus. "We were just building up the whole tournament ... I was hoping [to win], but we didn't know for sure.
"We always thought that Australia was our biggest game."
Asked to comment on her own performances, the young athlete insisted the on-court highlight of the trip had been working together as a team, and sticking to the agreed game-plan.
Tayla also said the experience of playing with girls older than her had been beneficial for the development of her own game.
Away from the hoops, Tayla said going to Malaysia had been a great experience - especially the hot weather.
She had previously told this paper that she had "never really been out of New Zealand before".
Tayla was accompanied on the trip by her parents and younger sister, who had proved to be a welcome - and loud - supportive presence on the sidelines.
Proud mother Amy said the family were "so glad " they had gone with Tayla, but were now trying to readjust to the Rotorua winter.
"It's freezing back here!"
Mrs Earle praised the team for the way they performed in the humid conditions.
"In that heat, they played amazingly. They just took it in their stride and soldiered on."
And she couldn't resist gloating over the victory against Australia.
"Our girls just brought it better than them."
Now back on home soil with her winner's medal, Tayla is looking to move forward with her promising netball career - one step at a time.
"I'm just going to stick with [Rotorua] reps and get even further with that, so I can trial for New Zealand secondary schools next year."
