Casey Kopua shines in international return

Casey Kopua of New Zealand and Taraima Mitchell of Fiji compete for the ball. Photo / Getty Images

The spotlight shone on the new kid and the comeback queen in the Silver Ferns dominant win over Fiji in the first of three pre-World Cup hit-outs last night in Wellington.

The match marked inspirational captain Casey Kopua's return to the international arena after suffering a horrific knee injury last year, while rookie shooter Malia Paseka made her first test appearance, coming off the bench in the final quarter. By the time the 20-year-old took the court her side were already well in control of the match, leading 70-21 at the final change of ends. But the youngster still had a couple of anxious early touches, before finding her feet as the quarter wore on, finishing with a return of 12/14.

But last night was not about sentiment for coach Waimarama Taumaunu. With their opening match of the World Cup just two weeks away, of greater importance was fine-tuning the links between the new midcourt and shooting combinations.

After wins by margins of 53 and 42 goals in the Oceania Series in Suva in January, the Ferns last night took another step up, demolishing the visitors by 60 goals on the back of a dominant defensive performance. But there were still patches of untidy attacking play that will be of concern to the Ferns, particularly in the second quarter where they showed a noticeable drop-off after an impressive 22-3 opening quarter.

"We tried things, sometimes they didn't come off but I'm really pleased we stuck to our task." said Taumaunu.

Bailey Mes stood strongly in the starting goal shoot role, netting a game-high 48 goals after profiting from some impressive long ball.

The Ferns coach was also pleased with the performance of both her midcourt lines, with veteran Laura Langman going back to where it all began in the wing defence bib, before switching to her more familiar role of centre at halftime.

Langman's tight one-on-one defensive marking forced Fiji to make a change to wing attack at the first break, and it is expected she will provide a handy midcourt switch-up during the World Cup.

Kopua's return to the international arena came nine months after she was carried from the court with a serious knee injury in the third test of last year's Constellation Cup series against Australia. Many at the time worried it would be Kopua's last act in the black dress. The star defender was adamant it wouldn't be. Last night she led the New Zealand side out on court for the 64th time as captain.

With just five games of ANZ Championship netball under her belt this year, these home tests are considered crucial to Kopua's ongoing bid to regain her timing and court smarts ahead of the World Cup. The star defender will take plenty of confidence from her three quarters at goal keep, in which she showed plenty of handy touches, keeping experienced Fijian goal shooting Taraima Mitchell well contained.

The Ferns next take on Norma Plummer's South African side in the first of two tests in Hamilton on Sunday, with plenty more experimentation expected.

3 Match talking points

Fern No 158
20-year-old shooter Malia Paseka became Silver Fern No158 when she debuted off the bench at three-quarter time.

Comeback captain
Captain Casey Kopua made her international comeback just over nine months after suffering a serious knee injury.

Veteran on wing
In a further sign Laura Langman will be used more at wing defence at the World Cup, the veteran midcourter started in the WD bib before shifting to centre at halftime.