Kopua’s possible return ‘a bit bad’

Retiring netball star Anna Harrison said the potential international return of her former Silver Ferns team-mate Casey Kopua would be a ‘‘little bit bad’’ for the sport in New Zealand.

Harrison, 35, played the final game of her fine career for the Northern Mystics in their 55-48 defeat to the Central Pulse in Wellington on Wednesday, the same day Stuff revealed that former Silver Ferns skipper Kopua is poised to make a shock comeback to the national team.

But welcoming the 33-year-old Kopua back nearly three years on from her last test doesn’t sit well with Harrison, who said the struggling Silver Ferns ought to move on.

Kopua was in good form but suffered a foot injury – a plantar fascia tear – in July ahead of the Magic’s clash with the Northern Stars, which ruled her out for the remainder of the ANZ Premiership season. It’s understood her Silver Ferns return would hinge on Noeline Taurua being appointed head coach following Janine Southby’s resignation.

Harrison said the Silver Ferns should focus on younger players rising through the ranks.

‘‘I just heard that [about Kopua] and actually I’m not sure about that,’’ she told Radio Sport yesterday.

‘‘Casey is an amazing player and if she wants to do that it’s up to her. From a New Zealand netball point of view it’s a little bit bad,’’ Harrison said.

‘‘You need to build players that are coming through. To bring back players, as good as Casey is, I don’t know if that is the right move.’’

Harrison, who won Commonwealth Games gold medals in 2006 and

To bring back players, as good as Casey is, I don’t know if that is the right move.’’ Anna Harrison, left, on Casey Kopua returning to the Silver Ferns

2010, was unsure what influence Kopua would have if she did return.

‘‘You need to work with what you’ve got, can’t keep going back and asking people. Casey and I are older,’’ she added. ‘‘Coming into an environment, she might have been a great leader when she was in our team. There’s [now] an age difference.

‘‘It’s a tricky one. Straight off the bat, it doesn’t sit well and not something we should potentially be doing.

‘‘No disrespect to Casey, she is an amazing player, but from a growth point of view and trying to move forward, going backward isn’t the right way.’’