ASHLEIGH Karaitiana will rejoin the Bendigo Braves for their cut-throat home semi-final clash against Geelong Supercats this Saturday in red-hot form following a remarkable run with the New Zealand national team.

The 26-year-old top-scored with 25 points in the Tall Ferns’ 85-74 win against Japan on Sunday, which clinched their win in the William Jones Cup.

New Zealand won all five of its games in the tournament, which also involved, India, South Korea and two Chinese Taipei teams.

The cup tournament marked the Hamilton-born forward’s debut for the Tall Ferns, who were without all but one of their stars from the team, which scored a bronze medal at the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Karaitiana, who missed the Braves’ final two regular season games and their finals loss to Launceston last Saturday while with the New Zealand team in Asia, dominated the grand final with 25 points and six assists.

The former Bendigo Spirit WNBL star led the Tall Ferns in scoring throughout the tournament with 22 points per game. She also averaged 4.8 rebounds and three assists.

Karaitiana scored 40 points on debut in a massive 114-39 win against India.

The Tall Ferns are coached by Melbourne Boomers head coach Guy Molloy.