SHANE HURNDELL
An ankle injury to her sister and fellow midcourter Becky Kupa has resulted in Kupa being called in to the MoreFM Flyers side for tonight's crucial third-round clash against the Shakers in Palmerston North.
"It's quite ironic ... Becky comes home on crutches on Monday night and Tuesday night I get the call from Tanya (Flyers coach Tanya Dearns) asking if I can play," Kupa said.
"I told her just one game. I also told her I didn't want to start or play centre for the entire game ... she told me I'll be doing both and no doubt I'll find out tomorrow if she was serious," Kupa said yesterday before joining the team for the trip west.
Kupa, 29, who last played for the Flyers in 2004 said despite her 18 months away from the top level she was looking forward to playing against many of her 2003 Shakers teammates in a clash both teams have targeted as a "Must Win" in their respective quests to avoid the wooden spoon.
"I'm used to pressure. In fact the call-up has come in a big week for me," she said, referring to the fact her promotion to the role of fashion manager with Farmers in Hamilton was confirmed earlier in the week.
"I'll be leaving at the end of the month. But I'll still be playing for Otane in the Hawke's Bay League," she said.
Kupa won't be short of family support in the Arena Manawatu encounter. Becky will be there crutches and all along with their sister Annemarie Kupa-Petera, who is a former National Bank Cup player. Their parents Russell and Sue, as always, will also be among the spectators.
Becky sprained her ankle while training with another of the Hawke's Bay-based Flyers, Kiley Hikawai, and Dearns said although she hoped Becky will be able to play during the next fortnight the injury may require a reconstruction operation at the end of the season.
Dearns said her team has played well in patches this season and tonight's game is "the time to put those patches together for the full 60 minutes."
She is the best of mates with Shakers coach and fellow former Silver Fern Waimarama Taumaunu but surprisingly there haven't been any test messages between the pair this week.
"The last time I spoke to her was on Saturday night. She started telling me where they went wrong against the Magic and then stopped talking ... she must have realised I was her next opposing coach," Dearns said.
No doubt Dearns will be hoping Taumaunu will be the losing coach again tonight.
Flyers: Amber Bellringer, Jane Bingham, Erika Burgess, Lauren Burgess, Malu Fa'asavalu, Chanel Haggart, Kiley Hikawai, Charlotte Kight, Tammy Kupa, Louise Moffat, Hayley Stockman, Florence Tauli.
Shakers: Sacha Coogan, Jamilah Gupwell, Jo Haanstra, Cushla Lichtwark, Emma McGeorge, Lovila Paki, Daya Pritchard, Katie Ritchie, Victoria Smith, Frances Solia, Geraldine Solia, Kylie Young.
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