New Zealand Silver Ferns legend Casey Kopua has come out of retirement, signed as a temporary replacement player for the Giants
The almost 40-year-old defender comes into the squad to replace the injured Jodi-Ann Ward.
Ward has been ruled out of the remainder of the Super Netball season after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in the Giants’ nine-goal loss to the Fever last weekend.
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Casey Kopua looks to pass during an international test match in 2015. Martin Hunter via Getty Images
Ahead of the Giants’ round eight clash with the Vixens, the club brought in Kopua, who will make a shock return to elite netball six years after retiring.
Kopua has not played in the Super Netball, but fans may remember her lining up with the Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic in the now-demised trans-Tasman league, the ANZ Championship. There, her domestic career spanned 17 seasons.
Kopua also captained the Silver Ferns from 2009 to 2017, fuelling the rivalry between New Zealand and Australia with legendary match-ups against then-Diamonds goal shooter Caitlin Bassett.
The move sees Kopua reunite with her former Magic coach 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 via Getty Images
In a statement, 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 statement read.
“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 appearance marks a surprise return to the elite level, her competitive edge and leadership credentials make her a formidable inclusion for Sunday’s clash against 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 action for the Magic in 2013. Sandra Mu via Getty Images
Kopua is now a mum of three children.
Last year, she appeared on the New Zealand reality TV series Celebrity Treasure Island.
The two-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist initially retired from international netball back in 2017 after a horror run of knee injuries and the birth of her first child. But she once again pulled on the black dress in 2019, specifically for one final hurrah at the World Cup.
The surprise move could ruffle a few feathers with the Giants opting not to use one of their reserve competition players as a replacement for Ward.
Training partner and defender Aimee Landrigan previously came into the squad as injury cover for McDonell and made her debut at the weekend.
The Giants are yet to announce if Kopua will be used as a replacement player for the rest of the season.
Kopua and her family are thought to still be based in the Waikato region in New Zealand.
