Latest news with #KurtCapewell
The Guardian
a day ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
State of Origin 2 teams: Daly Cherry-Evans dropped in bombshell Maroons move
Queensland's Daly Cherry-Evans has become the first State of Origin captain dropped mid-series this century, as one of several huge Billy Slater selection calls. Slater will name a 20-man squad for Origin II on Monday morning, but Tom Dearden is expected to replace Cherry-Evans in the No 7 jersey in Perth next Wednesday. Beau Fermor is the other player dropped after the Maroons' series-opening 18-6 loss at Suncorp Stadium, with Kurt Capewell set to replace him. Kurt Mann is then expected to take Dearden's spot on the Maroons' bench, after acting as 18th man in game one. Notably, Slater has also called Ezra Mam into the Maroons' extended squad, just three games into his return from a nine-match ban for drug driving. Mam is not expected to be part of Slater's 17, and will need scans before entering camp after injuring his knee in Brisbane's win over Gold Coast. Canberra prop Corey Horsburgh will also act as a reserve after missing out on a spot in the pack, while Melbourne centre Jack Howarth is also in the 20-man group. The Maroons are also confident prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will be fine to play, despite suffering a knock in the Titans' loss to Brisbane on Saturday and requiring pain-killing injection to his sternum at halftime. The call to leave Cherry-Evans remains one of the most seismic in recent memory from either state. He has been the Maroons' first-choice No 7 and captain since 2019, taking Queensland to three series wins, including their incredible 2020 effort. The 36-year-old has, however, come under fire since the Maroons' loss in Origin I – their second straight defeat at Suncorp Stadium. Queensland has previously dropped Trevor Gillmeister when he was captain in the 1990s. NSW last year made the call to drop James Tedesco for Origin I, before recalling him through injury and then leaving him out again for game two. But neither state has decided to drop a captain from their side midway through a series this century. Cherry-Evans' omission is even more significant considering only Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have captained more Origins for their state. Dearden has won two of four games starting for the Maroons at five-eighth, partnering Cherry-Evans last year and in the 2022 series-deciding win. Queensland lock Pat Carrigan said he believed the North Queensland playmaker would be ready for the challenge. Sign up to Australia Sport Get a daily roundup of the latest sports news, features and comment from our Australian sports desk after newsletter promotion 'I played with Tommy when he debuted [for Brisbane] and his competitive nature hasn't changed,' Maroons lock Carrigan said. 'He is playing great footy for the Cowboys, and you put him in a Queensland jersey and he just grows to another level as well. 'Whether it be Chez or it be Tommy, I know they can get the job done and we are going to need them to.' Carrigan also spoke highly of Cherry-Evans. 'Chez has done a lot for me not only as a footballer with advice but as a friend too. I love playing with him,' he said. 'He is a great man with great values and I know all the boys really appreciate him a lot too. The big fella's footy speaks for itself. I know what the boys think of him and how Queensland rugby league thinks of him as well.' Queensland: Kalyn Ponga, Xavier Coates, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Moeaki Fotuaika, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Pat Carrigan, Kurt Mann, Lindsay Collins, Kurt Capewell, Trent Loiero, Ezra Mam, Jack Howarth, Corey Horsburgh.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Billy Slater makes bombshell call ahead of State of Origin II as Daly Cherry-Evans is shockingly SNUBBED
Queensland 's Daly Cherry-Evans has become the first State of Origin captain dropped mid-series this century, as one of several huge Billy Slater selection calls. Slater will name a 20-man squad for Origin II on Monday morning, but AAP has been told Tom Dearden will replace Cherry-Evans in the No.7 jersey in Perth next Wednesday. Beau Fermor is the other player dropped after the Maroons' series-opening 18-6 loss at Suncorp Stadium, with Kurt Capewell set to replace him. Kurt Mann is then expected to take Dearden's spot on the Maroons' bench, after acting as 18th man in game one. Notably, Slater has also called Ezra Mam into the Maroons' extended squad, just three games into his return from a nine-match ban for drug driving. Mam is not expected to be part of Slater's 17, and will need scans before entering camp after injuring his knee in Brisbane 's win over Gold Coast. Canberra prop Corey Horsburgh will also act as a reserve after missing out on a spot in the pack, while Melbourne centre Jack Howarth is also in the 20-man group. The Maroons are also confident prop Tino Fa'asuamaleaui will be fine to play, despite suffering a knock in the Titans' loss to Brisbane on Saturday and requiring pain-killing injection to his sternum at halftime. The call to leave Cherry-Evans remains one of the most seismic in recent memory from either state. He has been the Maroons' first-choice No.7 and captain since 2019, taking Queensland to three series wins, including their incredible 2020 effort. The 36-year-old has, however, come under fire since the Maroons' loss in Origin I - their second straight defeat at Suncorp Stadium. Queensland has previously dropped Trevor Gillmeister when he was captain in the 1990s. NSW last year made the call to drop James Tedesco for Origin I, before recalling him through injury and then leaving him out again for game two. But neither state has decided to drop a captain from their side midway through a series this century. Cherry-Evans' omission is even more significant considering only Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer and Cameron Smith have captained more Origins for their state. Dearden has won two of four games starting for the Maroons at five-eighth, partnering Cherry-Evans last year and in the 2022 series-deciding win. Queensland lock Pat Carrigan said he believed the North Queensland playmaker would be ready for the challenge. "I played with Tommy when he debuted (for Brisbane) and his competitive nature hasn't changed," Maroons lock Carrigan said. "He is playing great footy for the Cowboys, and you put him in a Queensland jersey and he just grows to another level as well. "Whether it be Chez or it be Tommy, I know they can get the job done and we are going to need them to." Carrigan also spoke highly of Cherry-Evans. "Chez has done a lot for me not only as a footballer with advice but as a friend too. I love playing with him," he said. "He is a great man with great values and I know all the boys really appreciate him a lot too. "The big fella's footy speaks for itself. I know what the boys think of him and how Queensland rugby league thinks of him as well." EXPECTED QUEENSLAND SQUAD FOR STATE OF ORIGIN II Kalyn Ponga, Xavier Coates, Robert Toia, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Harry Grant, Moeaki Fotuaika, Reuben Cotter, Jeremiah Nanai, Pat Carrigan, Kurt Mann, Lindsay Collins, Kurt Capewell, Trent Loiero, Ezra Mam, Jack Howarth, Corey Horsburgh
RNZ News
7 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
NRL: Wounded NZ Warriors re-arrrange line-up to face Cronulla Sharks
Rocco Berry was forced from the field against Souths with a hamstring twinge. Photo: David Neilson/Photosport Warriors v Sharks Kickoff 7.30pm Saturday, 7 June Sharks Stadium Sydney Live blog updates on RNZ Sport Injury-plagued NZ Warriors centre Rocco Berry has joined co-captain Mitch Barnett on the sidelines for their away game against Cronulla Sharks on Saturday. After having a fully fit squad to choose from last week - the first time since 2023 - coach Andrew Webster has had to juggle his line-up again, with Barnett ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL in his right knee and Berry hampered by a hamstring twinge that forced him from the field against South Sydney Rabbitohs on Sunday. Berry has struggled to stay on the park for the Warriors after missing the start of the season with a shoulder injury, withdrawing from his scheduled return against Wests Tigers with hamstring trouble, picking up a suspension in his eventual return against Melbourne Storm and then missing three more games with his dodgy hammy. He has managed just four appearances so far this campaign. Webster has addressed Berry's absence by shifting versatile second-rower Kurt Capewell into the midfield, but also has specialist centre Ali Leiataua on an extended bench. Teenage sensation Leka Halasima has moved into the starting pack, where he has lined up in six of his 12 appearances this season. Without Barnett, Jackson Ford has been promoted from the bench to start in the front row. Meanwhile, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has named former Warriors front-rower Addin Fonua Blake to face his old team for the first time, since his early release to return across the Tasman. Kiwis winger Ronaldo Mulitalo is suspended, so Hamilton-born Sione Katoa makes his comeback from shoulder reconstruction, while NZ-born players Mawene Hiroti, Oregon Kaufusi, Briton Nikora and Braden Hamlin-Uele also named. Warriors: 1 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, 2 Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3 Adam Pompey, 4 Kurt Capewell, 5 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7 Luke Metcalf, 8 James Fisher-Harris, 9 Wayde Egan, 10 Jackson Ford, 11 Leka Halasima, 12 Marata Niukore, 13 Erin Clark Interchange: 14 Te Maire Martin, 15 Jacob Laban, 16 Demitric Vaimauga, 17 Tanner Stowers-Smith Reserves: 18 Tom Alex, 20 Sam Healey, 21 Tanah Boyd, 22 Ali Leiataua, 23 Taine Tuaupiki Sharks: 1 Will Kennedy, 2 Sione Katoa, 3 Jesse Ramien, 4 KL Iro, 5 Mawene Hiroti, 6 Braydon Trindall, 7 Nico Hynes, 8 Addin Fonua-Blake, 9 Blayke Brailey, 10 Oregon Kaufusi, 11 Briton Nikora, 12 Teig Wilton, 13 Cam McInnes Interchange: 14 Daniel Atkinson, 15 Jesse Colquhoun, 16 Siosifa Talakai, 17 Braden Hamlin-Uele Reserves: 18 Billy Burns, 19 Tuku Hau Tapuha, 20 Hopeha Puru, 21 Jayden Berrell, 22 Niwhai Puru Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
State of Origin: Queensland snub can't dampen Kurt Capewell's support for Maroons
Kurt Capewell was part of a beaten Queensland outfit in 2024. Photo: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous Queensland v NSW Kickoff 10pm Wednesday, 28 May Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane Live blog updates on RNZ Sport NZ Warriors star Kurt Capewell has suspended his budding bro-mance with teammate Mitch Barnett for the day, as the pair align themselves on opposite sides of the State of Origin rivalry. Last year, they faced off across the field, as Barnett's New South Wales side clinched the Aussie representative series with a dramatic victory against Capewell's Queensland at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium. Second-rower Capewell has been omitted by Maroons coach Billy Slater for Wednesday's opening encounter at the same venue, but is no less parochial in his support. "No mates today," he declared, wearing a maroon-coloured Warriors cap. "Queensland all the way." Not even the suggestion a home defeat might expedite a recall to the camp could sway Capewell's allegiance. "No way, I want Queensland to win by 50. Whoever's wearing the jersey doesn't matter too much, as long as we get the win." Rep allegiances aside, Capewell and Barnett are a formidable cards combination on Warriors road trips, and the latter has creditted the former for supporting him through a period of sole captaincy, while James Fisher-Harris was nursing a pec (chest) injury. "I get along with Barney really well," Capewell, 31, confirmed. "I get along with all the boys in the club, and something we worked on in the off-season and pre-season was our team connection. "I think that's really shone through, but there's no mates today and, if I was out there, I'd be trying to kill him. I'm sure he'd do the same to me." Born in the country town of Charleville, about 750km west of Brisbane, Capewell has logged 10 Origin appearances for his beloved Maroons, debuting at centre, and contributing to series wins in 2020 and 2022. Kurt Capewell of the Warriors looks to pass against Brisbane Broncos. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ "It's always something you want to be part of, whenever you get the chance to pull that jersey on, but I've still got a job to do at the Warriors," he admitted. "My plate is pretty full still. "I spoke to Bill and he just said I wasn't in the plans for Game One, so whether that means Game Two or Three, I'm not too sure. Just keep playing good footy for the Warriors and see how we go. "Origin, for me, is probably the pinnacle of where I've been, including grand finals too. "Suncorp, playing for Queensland - there's no bigger feat than running out in front of all those Queenslanders screaming their heads off." Over the years, NZ league fans tended to adopt perennial underdogs Queensland as their team, with legendary Kiwis coach Graham Lowe guiding them to victory in 1991. Capewell claimed that was still the case within the Warriors club, although he has at least one other notable adversary. Coach Andrew Webster doesn't hide his support for the Blues. "I love watching it," he said. "I don't so much like the disruption it causes, but I can't wait for tonight." Barnett missed the Warriors' defeat to Canberra last weekend, as he settled into NSW preparations, and his absence - along with that of Fisher-Harris through suspension - elevated Capewell to captaincy duties . Webster has named Barnett for this week's road game against South Sydney Rabbitohs and will watch the Origin opener with fingers crossed that his man makes it out the other end unscathed. "The morning after, we'll see how he pulls up, but it could be a couple of days later," he said. "We'll give him every chance and, if he pulls up well, we'll play him - if he doesn't we won't play him." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
25-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
What we can learn from Warriors' weekend loss
Luke Metcalf reflects on the Warriors loss to Canberra Raiders. Photo: Brett Phibbs/Photosport Analysis - After five straight wins - some of them fortuitous - NZ Warriors have finally seen their streak snapped by a physical Canberra Raiders that pushed the rules to the limit and beyond. The 16-10 outcome saw the Raiders complete a clean sweep of regular season victories over their rivals, after outplaying them in the season-opener in Las Vegas. They say winning can mask all kinds of flaws and, given the nature of their previous successes, the Warriors were probably due a setback, which may provide a chance for them to reset and find the next level of performance that has eluded them over the past month. Here's what we learned from the defeat to the Raiders at Go Media Stadium. While acting captain Kurt Capewell was initially named at centre, the presence of specialist midfielder Ali Leiataua on the extended bench signalled he would likely enter the starting line-up before kickoff. So it proved. The move enabled Capewell to shift to his preferred second-row role, Marata Niukore to the front row and Jackson Ford back to the interchange, where he has been a standout this season. Leiataua's return also allowed coach Andrew Webster to field his likely first-choice backline for the first time this season, after winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak's broken wrist in the pre-season kept him on the sidelines through the first nine rounds and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's hamstring ruled him out for eight rounds. Leiataua had missed three games with an ankle sprain, while fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad had a spell with concussion, and centre Rocco Berry managed just three games among a variety of injuries and suspension. Leiataua had a quiet game, running eight times for 65 metres and making 17 tackles, but missing three. Before his injury, he had consolidated his hold on a centre spot, while Adam Pompey has again proved the team's ironman - the only back to take the field in every game so far, playing every minute, as he did in 2023. Berry is not far from a return either, so the competition for those spots will ramp up soon, notwithstanding more injuries. This result probably swung on two periods when the teams were each reduced to 12 men by referee Adam Gee. The Warriors led 8-0, when Raiders prop Corey Horsburgh was sent from the field for a professional foul, leaving his team short-handed. The home side were unable to take advantage of that numerical advantage and actually conceded a try to hooker Tom Starling, when Leiataua missed one of his tackles on opposite Sebastian Kris. Afterwards, Webster rued not taking the kick for goal from Horsburgh's penalty, because a couple of plays later, Tuivasa-Sheck conceded a turnover that killed the attacking chance. "We could have been 10-0 up, but we just handled that period poor in the first half," he said. "We made that error straight away and then didn't have any ball, so they handled it way better than us." In the 59th minute, after the Warriors had conceded three set restarts in quick succession, fullback Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad was the unlucky one penalised on his own goal-line and sent to the sinbin. roger Tuivasa-Sheck scores a try for the Warriors against Canberra. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ During his absence, Raiders half Jamal Fogarty slotted the resulting penalty to level the scores and then scored the gamewinning try, which he converted. In short, Canberra handled both powerplay situations far better than the Warriors and that was the difference between the two teams. Leading 8-6 with halftime approaching, the Warriors made one of those basic mistakes that gives coaches the absolute willies. Foresaking his fascination with short dropouts, halfback Luke Metcalf prepared to take a long kick from his goal-line, but Gee whistled Pompey and his hard-to-miss, fluorescent yellow boots for straying ahead of the kicker. You don't see that call very often, certainly not as often as it happens, and Pompey actually caught himself and stepped back in line, but to no avail. Fogarty slotted the kick at goal and the teams entered the break level, but the Raiders with momentum. For the second time this season, Raiders captain - and Kiwi front-rower - Joseph Tapine will likely face suspension for reckless tackles against the Warriors. After Vegas, he sat out the next two games and was twice placed on report in the return match, once for a crusher tackle and another for a shoulder charge. Horsburgh was also on report even before his sinbinning. Seconds after Tapine's second offence, Starling was dispatched to the sinbin for a late and high attack on Chanel Harris-Tavita, as he put up a kick. He had to jump up to hit CHT in the head, so there really wasn't much mitigation involved. Afterwards, Raiders coach Ricky Stuart went on the frontfoot to defend the headhunting tactics of his players, lamenting how administrators were penalising them for upholding the physicality NRL marketed their game on. "We keep getting told that this game's about entertainment," he said. "We can't discipline aggression, because broadcasters promote aggression. "We've got to be really careful, we don't want to scrutinise aggressive actions in a game that is moulded on pure aggression and passion. "I'm not at all promoting foul play, I'm dead against foul play… we get a lot of accidental high shots with the speed and intensity of our game. Match review committees can't just willy-nilly bashing players for aggression, because we need it in our game." Stuart explained to media that his players were skilled at pulling out of crusher tackles. "We practice releasing the head," he insisted, a suggestion his players targeted the head in the first place. The Raiders will likely face Sydney Roosters next week without Tapine, and perhaps Horsburgh and Starling too. Canberra have often struggled on this side of the Tasman. They hadn't won in New Zealand since 2019, although during the intervening six years, Covid limited their ability to visit, so that losing record involved just one fixture at Mt Smart and another at Christchurch. Stuart has watched his team fall to some contentious defeats over recent years and often come out swinging at match officials afterwards. You get the feeling even this victory has left a sour taste in his mouth. The result elevates the Raiders to second on the NRL table, two points behind Canterbury Bulldogs and ahead of the Warriors on points differential. Players rarely top both the running metres and tackle stats - they're generally not built to excel at both. Interchange forward Jackson Ford became the first Warriors player to achieve something that only three others have done this season - Rabbitohs prop Keaon Koloamatangi, Broncos prop Patrick Carrigan and Wests prop Terrell May twice. Jackson Ford led the Warriors in both tackles and metres run against Canberra. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/ Ford has excelled coming off the bench and, during his 55 minutes against Canberra, he made 43 tackles and ran for 209 metres. No-one has led both categories playing less minutes. His 73 fantasy points sure came in handy this week, with seven teams on bye and a host of stars away on Origin call-up. Speaking of Koloamatangi, the Warriors travel back across the ditch next Sunday to face Souths, who sit just four points behind them on the table in sixth. They have been rocked by injuries this season, but are starting to get the best out of superstar and captain Latrell Mitchell at fullback, under the wily guidance of supercoach Wayne Bennett. Souths will have Mitchell and Campbell Graham back from Origin duty, while the Warriors will have co-captains Mitch Barnett back from Origin and James Fisher-Harris back from suspension. By the time the Warriors return to Go Media Stadium to face Penrith Panthers on 21 June, they will have played just once on their homeground in nine weeks. The Warriors are now 8-3 for the season, but this result drops them back into a negative points differential at minus-one. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
