B8 SUPERSPORT Monday, October 13, 2014 THE PRESS, Christchurch NETBALL RUGBY LEAGUE Violent Injured incident mars win A sickening act of violence toward for- Kopua’s mer Kiwi Lance Hohaia shaped and disfigured a dramatic Super League grand final triumph for St Helens over their fiercest rivals Wigan. As Saints’ fans celebrated their team’s long-awaited 14-6 victory at Old Trafford in Manchester yesterday, future in Wigan’s prop forward Ben Flower was left to reflect ruefully on a moment of stupidity and brutality after just 123 seconds that led to him becoming the first man to be sent off in a grand final. Welshman Flower punched Saints’ standoff Hohaia in the face and then, as the former New Zealand international doubt lay dazed on the floor, kneeled over his helpless victim and struck him flush in Casey Kopua faces potentially career- AT A GLANCE the head again. defining scans on her left knee today The incident, which TV replays while her fellow Silver Ferns wrestle suggested could have been sparked by with their own form of psychological Australian Diamonds: 47 (Caitlin Hohaia’s earlier forearm smash on damage as Australia close in on a Con- Bassett 32/36, Natalie Medhurst 10/10, Flower, prompted a melee between stellation Cup shutout in Auckland on Tegan Caldwell 5/6) Silver Ferns: 34 players from both teams. Wednesday. (Cathrine Latu 14/14, Ameliaranne Wells It might easily have led to further Only a preliminary medical examin- 7/8, Jodi Brown 8/12, Bailey Mes 5/9). red cards but referee Phil Bentham had ation was required to rule out New Zea- 1st quarter: 14-7, Halftime: 24-15, 3rd no choice about dismissing Flower, land netball’s inspirational defender from quarter: 35-24. who held his head in his hands after the remainder of the 2014 calendar – man- 1st test: Diamonds 59 Ferns 42 in comprehending his madness. agement and players are now anxious to Invercargill, Oct 2 Though Hohaia was unable to play learn the severity of an injury that left 2nd test: Diamonds 49 Ferns 40 in any further part in the match, it was her in agony during the latter stages of Melbourne, Oct 8 Wigan who inevitably were to suffer Saturday night’s 47-34 loss at Sydney’s most for Flower’s folly, having to play Allphones Arena. In agony: Silver Ferns captain Casey Kopua yells after injuring her knee during Saturday night’s test against Australia in Sydney. Photo: PHOTOSPORT for 78 minutes with 12 men. The third trans-Tasman test of the leader, a great player and she’s firmly set Former Kiwis centre Sia Soliola year was intended to at least provide the on recovery, however long that may ceded the squad was struggling mentally Australia’s 14-7 lead at the first break signed off at St Helens in style by scor- 87-test campaigner with the consolation take,’’ Taumaunu said. even before Kopua collapsed in agony. She’s very proved decisive as Caitlin Bassett ing a try in the win. of becoming the Ferns’ longest-serving ‘‘Given it is a pretty major injury she’s ‘‘We’re not feeling good at the moment resilient. She’s a recorded nine goals; rival goal shoot The Saints were crowned cham- captain, yet that achievement was doing pretty well.’’ with our performance. We’ve kind of lost Cathrine Latu landed only two. pions of the English-based Super undermined in the cruellest of circum- Kopua’s team-mates were also bearing that confidence in each other a little bit. great leader, a great Latu had a perfect 14/14 shooting League for the first time since 2006, stances when she was taken off the court up under the strain associated with see- We’ve just got to go and find that.’’ player and she’s firmly match, but accuracy was counter- coming out on top after losing their on a stretcher with nine minutes remain- ing a valued colleague in distress. Taumaunu, who has brought in Kayla balanced by her output compared to previous five finals. ing. ‘‘My heart just sank into my guts Cullen as cover for the dead rubber and set on recovery, Bassett, so she was replaced by Bailey Soliola, who will join Canberra Kopua was wheeled through the really, it’s a bit close to home that one,’’ the following two-test series with Eng- Mes (5/9) in the final quarter. Raiders in the NRL next year after five departures concourse by her husband admitted 84-test defender Leana de Bruin. land, hoped her squad would lift to recog- however long that may Meanwhile, although Diamonds cap- seasons at Langtree Park, had been Terry yesterday morning as glum team- ‘‘We’ve just got to try and be strong for nise Kopua’s immense contribution to take. tain Laura Geitz sympathised with involved in two of those grand final mates followed in her wake. her.’’ the sport. Waimarama Taumaunu Kopua, Australia obviously planned to defeats during his time in north-west Coach Waimarama Taumaunu was The South African-born defender now ‘‘I think we can certainly do that and capitalise on her absence and extend England but it was third time lucky. naturally among the most pensive of the benefits from Kopua’s absence, although we’ll do that largely out of respect for their streak to 17 – by winning nine Reuters, AFP entourage – the only consolation was that was no consolation. Case. We’ll certainly be aiming to do that lowest tally in 23 tests against Australia straight against the Ferns. Kopua’s latest injury occurred 10 months ‘‘It’s never easy to come in in those cir- for her in the future.’’ stretching back to a 36-33 loss at Brisbane Even so, fringe players Sharni Layton, out from the Silver Ferns’ return to the cumstances, but I’ve just got to get on There were few positives to offset 2009. Caitlin Thwaites and uncapped defender FOOTBALL venue for next year’s world champion- with it and do it for the team and for her.’’ Kopua’s exit, although Taumaunu ‘‘We weren’t able to create enough Claire McMeniman, who joins the squad ships. After suffering eight straight defeats to credited Saturday’s defensive effort – shooting opportunities. I was really dis- in place of the rotated Rebecca Bulley, are Taumaunu was positive despite the world champions, including the spearheaded by her linchpin – for at least appointed with the number of shooting destined for court time in Auckland Kopua’s fate not yet being known. Glasgow Commonwealth Games gold keeping the Diamonds under 50 goals. opportunities we created, particularly in before they also host England this month. Reid likely ‘‘She’s very resilient. She’s a great medal match in August, de Bruin con- However, the 34 scored was the Ferns’ the first quarter,’’ Taumaunu lamented. Fairfax NZ BASKETBALL to opt for SHIRT CLEARANCEThe Liverpool Breakers must win off-field battle Simon Plumb ● ●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●●● ● Buoyant but battered, the Breakers We’ll know more once we’re able to get A touted $30m shift from West Ham to face an important few days healing it checked out.’’ Liverpool by All Whites skipper Win- some wounded bodies ahead of Pledger’s situation is tricky . His ston Reid continues to gather momen- Friday’s visit by the Adelaide 36ers. first stint on court was productive, but tum at a time when New Zealand coach After their upset win over the after that he struggled for timing and Anthony Hudson has increased his defending champion Wildcats in Perth pushoff. He had three points on one-of- own ties on the English scene, spend- to tip off the new Australian NBL three shooting, two rebounds and a ing time with Chelsea boss Jose season, Dean Vickerman’s men will pair of blocks in about 14 minutes. Mourinho. look to consolidate their fast start in But Henare made it clear the Reid’s future has been the centre of their home opener that will double as a Breakers valued any contribution they much speculation as his West Ham WE are clearing all the shirts who ‘need to go to new tribute for retired club legend CJ could get out of their 2.15m centre. deal draws to a close this season. He homes’ yes - they are from previous seasons, yes - you Bruton. ‘‘I’m really, really proud of the big has been linked to glamour clubs may have seen them before BUT not at these low, That means dealing with a casualty man,’’ he said. ‘‘He’s in a little bit of dis- Arsenal and Manchester United by sev- low prices. Reduced ‘to go’ ward that grew by one in Perth, with comfort, but his presence was felt. Yes, eral British media outlets that have starting shooting guard Corey Webster he’s not going to be the Alex Pledger we reported his preference was for Short sleeve casual jamming his back in the second quar- know and love but he still moved Liverpool. ter and unable to re-enter the game. reasonably well, especially on defence. Website Football-talk.co.uk and long sleeve leisure That made the Breakers’ 80-70 vic- You can’t teach seven feet – he’s a big reported: ‘‘Liverpool appear to have You recognise our brands, from Ben Sherman to Vonnella, tory over the Cats, snapping a five- boy, and he and Ekene [Ibekwe] did a won the race for Reid . with the Lichfield to Logan, you know the qualities, the styles are from game regular season losing streak in good job under the basket.’’ defender believed to have his heart set young ‘fashion forward’ to the ‘classics’.