Origin snub elevates Kurt Capewell into NZ Warriors captaincy against Canberra Raiders

RNZ News

23-05-2025

Kurt Capewell will assume the Warriors captaincy against Canberra Raiders on Sunday, formalising a leadership role he has filled behind the scenes this season.
Photo:
David Neilson/Photosport
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If Kurt Capewell harbours any ill will over his State of Origin snub, he doesn't show it.
The NZ Warriors second-rower-cum-centre and 10-game Queensland veteran - including the last two of last year's lost series - isn't wanted by Maroons coach Billy Slater for next week's opening clash with New South Wales at Brisbane, but instead, he's inherited the next best thing.
With Mitch Barnett (NSW selection) and
James Fisher-Harris (suspended) unavailable
, Capewell, 31, will assume the Warriors captaincy against Canberra Raiders on Sunday, formalising a leadership role he has filled behind the scenes this season.
"I don't think there's any sour grapes," observed coach Andrew Webster, an ardent Blues supporter. "Kurt is a proud Queenslander and he wants to wear that jersey bad.
"He loves it so much. If he got that opportunity, he would do anything for it.
"He was annoying yesterday, with his Queensland hat on, so it doesn't look like any sour grapes. I know he will be supporting Queensland, like he normally does, but I know he'd love to be there."
When former skipper Tohu Harris conceded a losing battle against injury and retired pre-season, Capewell was one of a handful of candidates that stood out for the role. Ultimately, Barnett and Fisher-Harris were appointed co-captains, but you don't always need the 'C' by your name to be a leader.
While Fisher-Harris spent a month sidelined by a pec (chest) injury and Barnett shouldered the responsibility alone, he leant heavily on his interstate rival for support and advice.
"Capes is really good for me personally," he said. "We're good mates and 500 partners in cards.
"He's been around a while, he's got a lot of knowledge and played in some big games. A lot of the time, he can read the room - he knows what to say and when to say it.
"It's good for me, for someone who hasn't been that way for a big part of my career. Sometimes, I let the emotions get the better of me, but he's a level head and has helped me out."
Webster sprang the appointment on Capewell this week.
"I rang him and woke him up in the lounge, where he was snoozing.
"I said, 'I would have liked to do this in person, but the team's getting announced and we want you to be captain this week. You've done a great job with your leadership this year'.
"We always have Wayde Egan as our vice-captain, he's our brains on the field and our calmness. Outside of Barney and Fish, and then you throw Charnze [Nicoll-Klokstad] in there and Wayde, Capey's been a standout with his leadership.
"He doesn't have to change anything this week or do anything different because he's captain, he's just got to be himself.
"If he is himself, he stands out for his effort. We saw on the weekend, against a great player like Farnworth, he went after the occasion."
During an 8-2 start to the Warriors' 2025 campaign, Capewell's experience and versatility has proved invaluable, as Webster shuffles his deck to cover a plague of backline injuries that have claimed centres Rocco Berry and Ali Leiataua, with Adam Pompey required to move to the wing on occasion.
The second-row specialist debuted for Queensland in the midfield and what he may lack in pace, he more than makes up for in cunning and an instinct for being in the right place at the right time.
Capewell has featured in two memorable, long range tries this season, galloping anywhere between 40-80 metres (depending on who's telling the story) to put Luke Metcalf across against Brisbane Broncos and then looming alongside his halfback
for the final pass against the Dolphins
last week.
At the other end of the field, those around him have had particular reason to appreciate his defensive reads.
"Capey's selection as captain is well deserved," fullback Nicoll-Klokstad said. "He leads by example and that's what we need in a leader.
"You're going to see someone who competes, gives his all and leads by his actions - that's everything he's done since round one.
"We definitely value everything he does inside our four walls. If you know what you're looking at in terms of the detail and effort areas, you'll see that he's got a real high work rate and he's leading all those things, week in and week out."
Capewell has been named in the centres again this week against the Raiders, but with Leiataua on the extended bench and poised for a return from his ankle sprain, don't be surprised if Webster springs some changes, as kickoff approaches.
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