For the past 10 months Silver Ferns captain Casey Kopua's mind has been on playing Australia.
After suffering an horrific knee injury in the Constellation Cup series against the Diamonds in October last year, Kopua focused on returning to the court to play the team again.
She finally achieved that on Sunday when the Silver Ferns ended Australia's nine-Test winning run over New Zealand with an upset 52-47 victory in their World Cup pool match in Sydney.
For Kopua it marked a major milestone in her recovery. Against the reigning world champions she proved she was still a force to be reckoned with on the international stage, after some tentative performances in the lead-up Tests to the World Cup tournament.
Sunday's win was a major confidence boost for the 10-year, 93-Test veteran who said she's still not back to full fitness.
Casey Kopua suffered a knee injury against Australia last year which could have ended her netball career. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"I've been waiting 10 months to get back on the court against Australia so it was a good test [of where I'm at] but it's only going to get tougher," she said.
"I think I am getting there. It's just those moments where I am not so consistent, but I think I have definitely improved from the last Test.
Kopua said the team needed to celebrate their win and acknowledge what they have achieved, but also be realistic that they are still only at pool play stage.
"Some of the girls in our team have never beaten Australia before so it is small success."
Casey Kopua leads the Silver Ferns from the court after their upset win over Australia. Photo: Photosport
Kopua said the win was also an endorsement of the selection policy of coach Wai Taumaunu who dropped experienced players Joline Henry, Liana Leota and Cathrine Latu ahead of the World Cup.
