NRL veteran Kurt Capewell backs Warriors defensive partner Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on right edge

RNZ News

4 days ago

Warriors v Dolphins
Kickoff 8pm Friday, 1 August
Go Media Stadium, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ Sport
NRL veteran Kurt Capewell has pledged his undying support to under-siege Warriors teammate Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, as the pair try to mend the team's leaky right-edge defence.
"I know, when my back's against the wall and I need anyone beside me, I'd pick Dallin," says the stand-in captain, as he
prepares to lead an injury-depleted side against the Dolphins
on Friday.
The centre-wing combination has come under intense scrutiny in recent weeks, as opposition teams seem to target their side of the defensive line, with Watene-Zelezniak often scrambling to cover his counterparts.
In their
24-16 loss to Gold Coast Titans last weekend
, the Warriors flyer was twice left floundering by long passes that gave Titans winger Phillip Sami ample space to score in the corner.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak remains one of the most exciting tryscorers in the NRL.
Photo:
Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
"I wouldn't say it's particularly just the right edge," Capewell insisted. "It's more of a team defensive thing - it usually takes two or three things to go wrong for a try.
"It's a team outlook, not just the right edge."
Sami's first try put Gold Coast ahead late in the first half and began with a lead runner that froze two interior defenders. From that stage, the Warriors struggled to number up along the backline, not helped when Capewell was caught between fullback AJ Brimson and centre Brian Kelly, and slipped, ultimately covering neither.
Watene-Zelezniak came in from his wing trying to cover Kelly and Brimson found Sami out wide with a delightful pass.
The second featured two runners close to the ruck that slowed the Warriors middles, then a third that arguably impeded second-rower Marata Niukore, before Titans half Kieran Foran floated the ball over Watene-Zelezniak, again hunting infield, to put Sami away.
"It can be difficult at times," Capewell acknowledged. "Obviously, there's lead runners, and there's setplays to create and take advantage of an overlap or a one-on-one.
"Unfortunately, that's been happening too often on our right edge.
"I know it can be frustrating for all the fans at home, but stick with it. We're working hard at training."
Coach Andrew Webster insisted
three common things went wrong
in the lead-up to a try.
"Play-the-ball could be too fast, which means someone else hasn't done their job," he said. "Spacing's too tight and that creates an overlap - that's two things.
"Three, we don't find a way to stop it on the edge. Everyone's got a role to play."
Ironically, with the spotlight on missed tackles, Watene-Zelezniak landed in hot water against Gold Coast for one he made, taking Kelly off the ball and earning a trip to the sin bin for a professional foul.
From the subsequent set, the Titans exploited the shorthanded defence to send centre JoJo Fifita over for his second try of the night, finally putting the contest beyond the Warriors' reach.
Kurt Capewell, Jacob Laban ande Jackson Ford tackle Phillip Sami against Gold Coast.
Photo:
Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
"I think Dallin's going well," Capewell said. "I'm not too heavily into the comments section on social media, but he's been in the game a long time and probably dealt with it before.
"We have full confidence in Dallin - he's a tremendous player. When he came back on the weekend… the way he runs that ball, as a teammate, it gets me fired up."
Webster confirmed defence across the park had been a focus at training.
"Confidence comes from good reps at training," he said. "That's the best way to get it back.
"You just can't wait or hope it will come back. We have to make it work and make it happen ourselves.
"The boys bounce back well, they learn well and I'm confident they will work at it this week. Always got faith in these boys."
Capewell starred as a second-rower in Queensland's State of Origin series win, but has been posted to the Warriors midfield, as injuries sideline specialists Rocco Berry (shoulder) and Ali Leiataua (calf).
While Webster has named him in the No.4 jersey against the Dolphins, that may not be where he lines up.
"Not too sure yet," Capewell admitted. "Trained today at both back row and centre, had a few reps at both, but we've got a few injuries, so not sure what the team will look like this week."
Fullback/winger Taine Tuaupiki lurks on the interchange, so the most obvious replacements at centre would be Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, who has played there for the Kiwis, or Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, who played there almost exclusively last season.
"We don't know ourselves yet," Webster said. "We'll know in the next 24 hours."
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.