Kopua eyes shock return to Silver Ferns

Former Silver Ferns skipper Casey Kopua is poised to make a shock return to the national team should long-time mentor Noeline Taurua step into the vacant coaching role.

Stuff understands Kopua has signalled she will make herself available for Silver Ferns selection nearly three years on from her last test, but her return to the international arena may hinge on Taurua being appointed to the top job.

It is believed Taurua has been approached by Netball NZ and is keen to take on the role, but needs to work through details with the Sunshine Coast Lightning, with whom she is contracted to the end of 2019.

The potential return of the inspirational defender comes as a major surprise. In all the speculation over whether appointing Taurua would entice midcourt superstar Laura Langman back to the national fray, Kopua has largely been overlooked.

Many feared Kopua’s career would be over after the 33-year-old suffered a foot injury – a plantar fascia tear – ahead of the Magic’s round nine clash against the Stars, ruling her out for the rest of the ANZ Premiership season. It is understood the original prognosis of an eight-week lay-off has been downgraded to six weeks and the star defender will soon be ready to resume full training duties.

Kopua did not respond to calls or messages from Stuff, while a Netball NZ spokesperson said it is not the national body’s place to speak on behalf of the former skipper.

Confirmation is expected to come in the next couple of weeks, with Netball NZ indicating a new coach will be named by August 12. The wider Silver Ferns squad is to be announced two days later.

Kopua’s availability poses an interesting conundrum for Netball NZ as it considers which players to contract through to next year’s World Cup. Contracting an injured player is a gamble, but there is little doubt that when fit Kopua can add huge value to the national setup.

Even after sitting out the past six rounds, Kopua remains in the top 10 in the league for intercepts and deflections.

Kopua’s mana, leadership and commanding on-court presence will also bolster a side that has displayed a lack of experience and a certain killer instinct of the last 18 months.

A review into the Silver Ferns’ capitulation at the April Commonwealth Games highlighted a ‘‘leadership void’’ created through the retirements of Kopua and fellow defenders Leana de Bruin and Anna Harrison, coupled with the unavailability of Langman, as being one of 12 key factors that led to the unravelling of the national programme.

Kopua has not played for the Ferns since the 2015 Constellation Cup.

It was later revealed the inspirational skipper was pregnant with daughter Maia during that series.