Maroons hero Kurt Capewell returns to Warriors for Knights clash
Photo:
Photosport
Victorious Queensland Maroon Kurt Capewell returns to the Warriors for their NRL clash against the Newcastle Knights in Newcastle on Sunday.
Capewell has been named to start in the centres, coming in for Rocco Berry, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Capewell didn't play in the first State of Origin match against the Blues, but made a big impact when called into game two, scoring a try in the Maroons' win and backed that up with a strong match in the 24-12 third game series triumph.
The 32-year-old usually plays in the second row for the Warriors but has filled in in the centres four times this season, including three of his last six appearances.
His inclusion is the only change to the starting side which beat Wests Tigers 34-14 last weekend, following two consecutive losses.
Tanah Boyd, who made a strong debut for the Warriors against the Tigers, retains the halfback spot, as does Taine Tuaupiki at fullback.
Berry dislocated his right shoulder in the Tigers game, and is expected to be out for five to six weeks.
In the Knights side, Dane Gagai will captain the side from fullback, while Brodie Jones comes into the starting side after Dylan Lucas' withdrawal because of a foot injury.
Tyson Frizell shifts to the interchange.
The Knights lost to the Storm last weekend, their seventh loss in their last eight home games. They are 13th on the ladder, having won six from 17 matches.
The Warriors, meanwhile, remain in fourth place, on 28 points. The Canberra Raiders lead the competition on 32 points, ahead of the Melbourne Storm and Canterbury Bulldogs on 30, while the Brisbane Broncos are four points adrift of the Warriors in fifth place.
The Warriors' NRL and NRLW sides play on the same day at the same venue for the second week running, but this time the men's game is played first with a 6.05pm start, while the women's game starts at 8.15pm.
New Zealand Warriors v Newcastle Knights
6.05pm, Sunday, 20 July.
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Teams
Warriors:
1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Kurt Capewell, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris (c), 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark.
Interchange: 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith.
Extended bench: Samuel Healey, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Bunty Afoa, Ali Leiataua, Kayliss Fatialofa.
Knights:
1 Dane Gagai, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Fletcher Hunt, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Jackson Hastings, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Leo Thompson, 11. Brodie Jones, 12. Kai Pearce-Paul, 13. Phoenix Crossland.
Interchange: 14. Tyson Gamble, 15. Mat Croker, 16. Tyson Frizell, 17. Jermaine McEwen.
Extended bench: Thomas Cant, James Schiller, Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana, Jack Hetherington, Kyle McCarthy.
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