Netball: Australia ease to Constellation Cup victory
Monday 13 October 2014 15:15, UK
The New Zealand Silver Ferns lost the third Constellation Cup test against Australia on Saturday and to make matters worse their inspirational captain Casey Kopua suffered a terrible injury.
The defender was stretchered from the court early in the final quarter with what looked to be a season-ending, and potentially career-ending, knee injury.
Early medical reports from the team were that Kopua dislocated her kneecap, with suspected ligament damage as well, but it could take a few days for a full diagnosis. If Kopua is found to have serious structural damage to her knee, it will likely rule her out of next year's World Cup, raising the question of whether she will return at all.
It was supposed to be a night of celebration for the 29-year-old, who became the Ferns' most-capped skipper when she led her side out on court for the 63rd time in Sydney to break Lyn Gunson's long-standing record. But the Ferns couldn't keep up with the Diamonds and by halftime as they trailed 24-15.
The Australians continued this dominance and in a sombre night in Sydney went on to win 47-34 and sew up the Constellation Cup series for another year as they took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the series.
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