Kopua: Heart Drives Magic

Kia Magic co-captain Casey Kopua is back and on a high after playing four quarters in the NZ Conference Final earlier this week against the SKYCITY Mystics.  

Kia Magic v NSW Swifts – purchase tickets! 

The 29 year old said it took a while for her to realise that she was back on court playing against some of the game’s most talented players.

“It felt great, there was a time there when I needed to take a breath, because I was thinking holy cow – I’m back on the court with the likes of Maria (Tutaia), Cat (Latu) and Laura (Langman)!

“It was pretty cool and at the end there it was very emotional for me,” she admitted.

The Magic host the NSW Swifts in the ANZ Championship Semi-Final on Sunday, something Kopua is looking forward to after missing most of the season.

“I think it’s going to be a very intense, fierce battle to be honest and for us it’s going to be the top two inches that need to be smart.

“There’s going to be a lot of one-on-one defensive pressure, but I think if we just use the ball smartly on attack and for us defenders, we know we can get up and get that ball on defence easily.”

During rehabilitation, Kopua remained part of the leadership group at the Magic and says the passion with which they play has secured their place in the finals for the eighth consecutive year.

“One thing we do have is our hearts – we play with heart and stick together no matter what and even if you are winning you fight to the death until that final whistle goes.”

The Kia Magic host the NSW Swifts in the ANZ Championship Semi-Final at Claudelands Arena on Sunday 14 June from 7.10pm NZT.

Tickets are available through Ticketek with the broadcast live on SKY Sport 1.