Business as usual for Kia Magic centurion
Press Release April 24, 2014
Kia Magic captain Casey Kopua will be hoping her 100thANZ Championhip netball outing against Adelaide Thunderbirds in Rotorua on Sunday pans out in similar fashion to her first, seven years ago.
The ultimate team player, Kopua is unlikely to be distracted by the occasion but in an ironic twist will play against the same opponents at the same venue (Energy Events Centre, Rotorua) as she did in game one, in 2008, which opened the new trans-Tasman competition, with Magic prevailing on that occasion.
Bye rounds have dictated just who (of three New Zealanders) would get to the ton first, Kopua becoming the third to achieve the milestone, a week after Laura Langman reached the mark and a day after Irene van Dyk, both former team-mates at Magic. The classy defender has the special distinction of notching her century with the same team being the only foundation member left at the Waikato/Bay of Plenty team.
Back in the winner’s circle after a tough match against Northern Mystics and in the process cementing second spot on the points table, Magic remain more concerned with the performance despite the significance of the occasion.
``It’s a massive milestone but I don’t think things will be any different from a game point of view,’’ said her defensive partner Leana de Bruin, who was unaware of the impending landmark.
``I’m pretty sure it will just be buisness as usual for Casey and another game that we have to win. We can celebrate her great achievement afterwards.’’
In dynamic form this season, the Silver Ferns defensive duo has played a key role in fostering a new-look Magic, vice-captain de Bruin revelling in her leadership role and the challenges of building a new team.
``Casey and I have different styles of leadership but we work well together in filling any gaps and looking after our team-mates,’’ she said.
``At the beginning nobody really gave us any chance. I just think the girls show immense heart and character every game. Because it’s our first year together as a new team, Julie (Fitzgerald, coach) just keeps things simple and I’m immensely proud and happy of where we sit at the moment.
``I’m loving it. It’s quite refreshing having such young kids in there, if I can call them that. They’ve been absolutely fantastic, they want to learn lots and have embraced the culture of what’s been built in the past and what’s happening now.’’
De Bruin is not reading too much into the Thunderbirds mid-season slump, the team from Adelaide heading to Rotorua with four straight losses and the unwanted record of posting the lowest score of 26 goals in ANZ Championship history in their latest outing.
However, in Emily Beaton, Erin Bell, Carla Borrego, Rebecca Bulley and Renae Hallinan, the defending champions have a touch of class and a ton of pride.
``They are a champion team and they know how to cope with situtations like this,’’ de Bruin said. ``They will be very disappointed with how it’s been going for them in the last few weeks and they’ll come out firing.
``Personally, I’m not too focused on them. We’ve been doing well when we just focus on ourselves. We do have a look at what they do but don’t over-analyse.’’
Two disc tears in her spine have presented a frustrating and cautious approach this season for the veteran defender, requiring all her exercise to be closely monitored, a testament to her strength of character in being able to produce an on-going quality of game.
``It’s just a matter of looking after things and making sure I’m not overdoing it,’’ she said.
``In reality, I should be doing nothing for about two or three months but I don’t have that luxury. At times I do have to miss or pull back on some parts of training to ensure I can play while recovery is a key.’’
Jane Hunt
Kia Magic media liaison
Ph: 021-107-0287
