New Zealand Silver Ferns legend Casey Kopua has come out of retirement, signed as a brief substitute 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 Tremendous Netball season after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament within the Giants’ nine-goal loss to the Fever final weekend.
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Casey Kopua appears to be like to go throughout a world check match in 2015. Martin Hunter through Getty Pictures
Forward of the Giants’ spherical eight conflict with the Vixens, the membership introduced in Kopua, who will make a shock return to elite netball six years after retiring.
Kopua has not performed within the Tremendous Netball, however followers could keep in mind her lining up with the Waikato Bay of A lot 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 rivalry between New Zealand and Australia with legendary match-ups in opposition to then-Diamonds aim shooter Caitlin Bassett.
The transfer sees Kopua reunite along with her former Magic coach Julie Fitzgerald and teammates Jamie-Lee Worth and Jo Harten.
Casey Kopua of the Silver Ferns and Caitlin Bassett of the Australian Diamonds compete for the ball in 2015. Scott Barbour through Getty Pictures
In a press release, the Giants welcomed Kopua into the fold.
“A circle-defender, match-winner and pure chief, Kopua brings a wealth of expertise and composure to a depleted Giants defensive finish who will likely be with out each Ward and [Tilly] McDonell,” the assertion learn.
“Identified for her tenacity, sport smarts, and talent to elevate these round her, the previous world champion is anticipated to offer invaluable steering to the younger Giants squad.
“Whereas this look marks a shock return to the elite degree, her aggressive edge and management credentials make her a formidable inclusion for Sunday’s conflict in opposition to the Vixens.”
Kopua retired from skilled netball following the 2019 Netball World Cup, the place she helped the Silver Ferns win the title over the Diamonds.
Since then, Kopua has remained concerned in New Zealand netball, that includes in top-level blended competitions and decrease leagues. She additionally got here 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 through Getty Pictures
Kopua is now a mum of three kids.
Final 12 months, she appeared on the New Zealand actuality TV collection Superstar Treasure Island.
The 2-time Commonwealth Video games gold medallist initially retired from worldwide netball again in 2017 after a horror run of knee accidents and the delivery of her first youngster. However she as soon as once more pulled on the black gown in 2019, particularly for one remaining hurrah on the World Cup.
The shock transfer might ruffle just a few feathers with the Giants opting to not use one in every of their reserve competitors gamers as a substitute for Ward.
Coaching companion and defender Aimee Landrigan beforehand got here into the squad as harm cowl for McDonell and made her debut on the weekend.
The Giants are but to announce if Kopua will likely be used as a substitute participant for the remainder of the season.
Kopua and her household are thought to nonetheless be based mostly within the Waikato area in New Zealand.
