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New Zealand Silver Ferns legend Casey Kopua has pop out of retirement, signed as a short lived alternative participant for the Giants
The virtually 40-year-old defender comes into the squad to interchange the injured Jodi-Ann Ward.
Ward has been dominated out of the rest of the Super Netball season after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament within the Giants’ nine-goal loss to the Fever ultimate weekend.
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Casey Kopua seems to move all through a global take a look at tournament in 2015. Martin Hunter by means of Getty Images
Ahead of the Giants’ spherical 8 conflict with the Vixens, the membership introduced in Kopua, who will make a surprise go back to elite netball six years after retiring.
Kopua has now not performed within the Super Netball, however enthusiasts would possibly have in mind her lining up with the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic within the now-demised trans-Tasman league, the ANZ Championship. There, her home profession spanned 17 seasons.
Kopua additionally captained the Silver Ferns from 2009 to 2017, fuelling the competition between New Zealand and Australia with mythical match-u.s.in opposition to then-Diamonds target shooter Caitlin Bassett.
The transfer sees Kopua reunite along with her former Magic trainer Julie Fitzgerald and teammates Jamie-Lee Price and Jo Harten.
Casey Kopua of the Silver Ferns and Caitlin Bassett of the Australian Diamonds compete for the ball in 2015. Scott Barbour by means of Getty Images
In a commentary, the Giants welcomed Kopua into the fold.
“A circle-defender, match-winner and natural leader, Kopua brings a wealth of experience and composure to a depleted Giants defensive end who will be without both Ward and [Tilly] McDonell,” the commentary learn.
“Known for her tenacity, game smarts, and ability to lift those around her, the former world champion is expected to provide invaluable guidance to the young Giants squad.
“While this look marks a marvel go back to the elite stage, her aggressive edge and management credentials make her a powerful inclusion for Sunday’s conflict in opposition to the Vixens.”
Kopua retired from professional netball following the 2019 Netball World Cup, where she helped the Silver Ferns win the title over the Diamonds.
Since then, Kopua has remained involved in New Zealand netball, featuring in top-level mixed competitions and lower leagues. She also came on board as a specialist defence coach for the Magic for the 2021 season.
Casey Kopua in motion for the Magic in 2013. Sandra Mu by means of Getty Images
Kopua is now a mum of 3 youngsters.
Last yr, she gave the impression at the New Zealand truth TV sequence Celebrity Treasure Island.
The two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist first of all retired from world netball again in 2017 after a horror run of knee accidents and the beginning of her first kid. But she as soon as once more pulled at the black get dressed in 2019, particularly for one ultimate hurrah on the World Cup.
The marvel transfer may ruffle a couple of feathers with the Giants opting to not use considered one of their reserve festival avid gamers as a substitute for Ward.
Training spouse and defender Aimee Landrigan in the past got here into the squad as harm quilt for McDonell and made her debut on the weekend.
The Giants are but to announce if Kopua will probably be used as a substitute participant for the remainder of the season.
Kopua and her circle of relatives are idea to nonetheless be primarily based within the Waikato area in New Zealand.
