Casey Kopua of the Magic (centre) is waiting for the all-clear, but she's at every training until the end and puts in an appearance in every game. Photo / www.photosport.co.nz
Casey Kopua of the Magic (centre) is waiting for the all-clear, but she's at every training until the end and puts in an appearance in every game. Photo / www.photosport.co.nz
Return comes at tricky time with play-offs near, making each game a must-win
Silver Ferns' skipper Casey Kopua is still no certainty to return to the court with the Magic this season, despite her remarkable progress in her comeback from a devastating knee injury.
When Kopua and the Ferns medical team sat down late last year and mapped out the path ahead following surgery to repair her ruptured patella tendon, they did not expect to be talking of a return at this time of the season. But the athletic defender is tracking ahead of schedule after a determined and committed effort with her rehabilitation programme.
Kopua is now taking full part in trainings with her Magic side and is suiting up for every game. While she is still waiting for the official all-clear to play, she appears to be inching ever closer to being given the tick of approval to return to the court.
However Kopua's impending return comes at a tricky time for the Magic with playoffs nearing. For the Magic, every game from this point on is a must-win, beginning with a meeting with the desperate Pulse on Monday night. Coach Julie Fitzgerald must therefore weigh up individual objectives against team objectives.
That is, she needs to try to find a way to get Kopua back out on court to give the athletic defender every opportunity to rebuild her confidence ahead of the World Cup, while still ensuring the team maintains their defensive structures and consistency.
Kopua said there is a chance Fitzgerald may opt to stick with the in-form pairing of Kristiana Manu'a and Leana de Bruin for the remainder of the season.
"It is totally up to [Fitzgerald]. I've spoken to her and said even if I do get cleared to play I don't want to stop what we've got going on, or just for her to throw me on for the sake of it. And the other side of that is I don't want to be put on to try and make a big difference or save the day," said Kopua. If medical staff do give Kopua the all-clear to play on Monday night, the Pulse loom as a good first-up challenge for Kopua. Neither Jodi Brown nor Ameliaranne Wells - the preferred starting shooting combination for the Pulse over the last few rounds - are especially aerial players. Nor are they known for their strong and fast cuts and drives around the circle. They tend to play more of a floating game, working the ball in by playing the angles.
Casey Kopu suffered a ruptured patella tendon last year in a test match against Australia and needed surgery. Photo / Getty Images
The thinking is Kopua could start for a quarter on Monday night, relieving her of any pressure that may come from being introduced late in the game and being expected to make an impact. If all goes well, she could build up to a half against the Tactix the following week.
Play-offs will be an altogether different proposition, offering little room for Fitzgerald to tinker with her line-up if it is not required.
But regardless of whether she gets on court in the ANZ Championship, Kopua is feeling comfortable with her progress to date and believes she is on track to regain her form and fitness before the World Cup in August.
"The more stuff I get to do and the more I get to be involved I get confidence back in my ability. It's just that general timing when you do get the chance to get out and play practice matches. Your body needs to learn again how quick and intense things are," she said.
During on-court trainings and her short bursts in the pre-match warm-ups Kopua said she doesn't hold anything back.
"I got a message from a little 10-year-old girl telling me, 'remember Casey, don't be scared - have no fear'. Which is really cool, she is exactly right. I can't be scared so that's pretty much my attitude towards my trainings at the moment."
Kopua hopes to take part in the Silver Ferns trials at the end of next month, where she will need to prove she is well on the road to rediscovering the defensive nous that earned her the reputation as one of the greatest defenders the game has seen. Beyond that, there will be opportunities to develop her court sense and defensive smarts during the national squad camp in mid-July, and their warm-up matches.
"Getting back on court is only just one step you know, the hardest part will be getting my timing and match fitness back so I can be an option for World Cup," said Kopua.
"I know when I get back on court I'm not going to be the player that I was, and that will be frustrating because I have high expectations. But I know with the more that I do and the more time that I have out on court, I think I can be a better netballer than what I was."
Silver Ferns goal shoot Grace Nweke speaks about the Constellation Cup series and the rivalry against the Diamonds in the final match. Video / Alyse Wright
