Casey Kopua marks Diamonds shooting combo in shock netball return

RNZ News

2 days ago

Casey Kopua in her Suncorp Super Netball debut.
Photo:
Brendon Thorne
Former Silver Fern Casey Kopua got a full game in the world's toughest netball league, six years after retiring.
The Giants stunned the netball world when they announced that Kopua would join the injury depleted team for this weekend's Suncorp Super Netball (SSN) game against the Melbourne Vixens in Sydney.
Kopua retired from elite netball after helping the Silver Ferns win the 2019 Netball World Cup in Liverpool, when she was named MVP of the final.
Apart from the odd club game in Matamata and one-off indoor netball tournaments, that's been it for Kopua in the years since.
The mother of three has kept herself fit but it was an extraordinary sight seeing the 39-year-old make her debut in the world's strongest league, after that amount of time away from elite netball.
Casey Kopua in the final of the 2019 World Cup.
Photo:
PHOTOSPORT
The Giants, who are languishing at the bottom of SSN, suffered another loss on Sunday but pushed their opponents for three quarters before the Vixens prevailed 71-61.
Kopua said she was shocked to be named in the starting line-up.
She played a full game at goal keep and was marking none other than the Australian Diamonds goal shoot Sophie Garbin.
Vixens goal attack Kiera Austin often pairs with Garbin in the Diamonds shooting end and neither had ever played against Kopua.
The Giants got off to a fast start and the Vixens feeders were wary of Kopua and her reputation as one of the greats of the game.
The former Silver Ferns captain played 112 Tests for New Zealand.
Kopua finished with just a couple of deflections but her presence in the circle and pressure over the shot, did put some hesitation into the minds of the Vixens.
Former Magic team-mates Jo Harten (left) and Casey Kopua - reunited at the Giants.
Photo:
Supplied
Kopua constantly talked to and encouraged young Giants goal defence Erin O'Brien.
Giants coach Julie Fitzgerald coached Kopua at the Magic in the former trans-Tasman competition. Kopua also played with Giants stalwarts Jo Harten and Jamie-Lee Price at the Magic.
Kopua only arrived in Sydney in the middle of the week, after Fitzgerald put out an SOS to her former player.
Today's game was also the first time Kopua has played under the two-point shot rule innovation.
Casey Kopua is embraced by former Australian Diamond, turned commentator Catherine Cox.
Photo:
Giants Instagram
The Giants led 19-15 after the first quarter and held a two goal lead at half time. But the Vixens took a two goal lead at the final break and put their foot down in the final quarter.
At half-time Kopua told Fox Sport that the SSN was what she expected.
" …and a whole lot more, it's a lot of fun though playing with different girls and the Aussie style but just getting amongst it, it's awesome," Kopua said.
She said she couldn't say no to Fitzgerald.
"There's not many people I would have said yes to but I'm loving it and the girls are lovely and we're having a good time on court."
It's not known yet if Kopua will stay on as a replacement player for the Giants for the rest of the season.
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