Netball: No magic fix in replacing star Kopua

Kopua is not expected to be ready to play at the speed and intensity the league demands before the end of the season. Photo / Greg Bowker

Life without Casey Kopua was never going to be easy for the Magic and this weekend's Summer Shootout in Sydney has given a brutal preview as to just how tough the 2015 season is going to be for the Waikato-Bay of Plenty side.

Kopua is the only foundation player remaining in the Magic set-up and has been one of the pillars of the team's success, including their unrivalled run of seven-straight ANZ Championship finals appearances. Now the Waikato-Bay of Plenty side must find a way to do it without her.

The defender has made strong progress in her recovery from major knee surgery and is tracking ahead of schedule.

But she is not expected to be ready to play at the speed and intensity the transtasman league demands before the end of the season.

With Kopua sidelined, veteran Ferns defender Leana de Bruin is left carrying a young defence.

Former Tactix defender Jo Trip is the only other player with ANZ Championship experience and the rest - Kristiana Manu'a, Kelly Jury and Aisha Bower - are virtual unknowns.

The trio have been exposed to the intensity of the ANZ Championship for the first time in this weekend's pre-season tournament - albeit Jury has had to experience it from only the bench as she's still recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon.

From those who have taken the court, there have been moments of real understanding between the defensive unit but, mostly, their inexperience has shown.

The Magic, who are also missing import shooter Jo Harten this weekend, were well beaten by the Vixens (45-33) in their first hit-out on Friday night, and recorded another three losses in yesterday's shortened matches - including a 32-25 defeat to perennial strugglers the Tactix.

De Bruin has described the tournament as a learning process for them all.

"Defensively, we need to keep talking to each other. When we do, it works really well, so we need to keep that chatter up.

"I see Kristi talking to Jo out there, but she doesn't seem to do it with me, so I think she needs to learn she's allowed to yell at me out there as well."

De Bruin is embracing her role as "mother hen" in the defensive end. When she's not on court, the Silver Fern can often be found pacing the baseline, offering advice and encouragement to the youngsters who are facing players they have previously seen only on TV.

Trip, who is in her second season with the Magic, credits the influence of de Bruin with helping her improve as a player since her arrival at the franchise.

This year the 24-year-old is going to have to put that learning into action on court.

"Last year, I was working hard to get out on court and this year I've come into it really keen to make the most of my opportunities and play good netball," said Trip.

The Magic aren't the only Kiwi side to have struggled this weekend. The Mystics are also without a win from their four games, while the Tactix and Pulse's only wins have come against New Zealand opposition.

The Steel are the only side to have beaten an Australian team, overrunning the Adelaide Thunderbirds 29-23 in yesterday's afternoon session.