Seasoned Queensland and Brisbane second rower Kurt Capewell has agreed terms to join the One New Zealand Warriors immediately on a three-year deal to the end of the 2026 NRL season.
The nine-game State of Origin representative was off contract at the end of 2024 but has been released by the Broncos enabling him to move to Go Media Stadium.
A premiership winner with the Penrith Panthers in 2021, Capewell has made 139 first-grade appearances since his debut with the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks in 2016.
“We’re thrilled to be able to lock in a player of Kurt’s quality and experience immediately,” said One New Zealand Warriors general manager recruitment, pathways and development Andrew McFadden.
“With room in our squad we tabled a long-term offer in the hope of bringing Kurt to club from 2024. We’re grateful to the Broncos for their help in allowing him to leave early.
“Quite apart from what Kurt will provide as a player, he’ll be immensely valuable with his experience in a mentoring role for the young back rowers we have coming through the club.”
Kurt is a winner with tremendous passion and a terrific work ethic
Andrew Webster One New Zealand Warriors head coach
One New Zealand Warriors head coach Andrew Webster said Capewell will significantly boost the club’s roster.
“Kurt is a winner with tremendous passion and a terrific work ethic,” he said.
“I thoroughly enjoyed working with him when we were both at Penrith and I know from that experience that he’ll add so much to our squad and to the club in an overall sense.
“He totally fits the profile of the type of player we want at the One New Zealand Warriors.”
Capewell is farewelling players and staff at the Broncos today before travelling to Auckland to link up with the club next week.
He spent four seasons with the Sharks from 2016-2019 before joining the Panthers.
In an injury-disrupted first campaign he played in Penrith’s grand final loss to Melbourne in 2020 and then savoured premiership joy when the Panthers beat South Sydney 14-12 to win the first of their three consecutive grand finals in 2021.
He then linked up with Brisbane making 43 appearances over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, his last being his third grand final when the Broncos lost to Penrith on October 1.
A regular 80-minute player with a 70 per cent winning record, Capewell averaged 84 metres and 30 tackles in his 24 appearances for the Broncos this year.
KURT CAPEWELL |
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| Born: July 12, 1993 Birthplace: Charleville, Queensland Junior club: Charleville and District, Queensland Position: Second rower Height: 189cm Weight: 100kg Previous clubs: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks (2016-2019), Pernith Panthers (2020-2021), Brisbane Broncos (2022-2023) First grade debut: Cronulla Sutherland Sharks v Penrith Panthers, BlueBet Stadium, July 10, 2016 (Rd 18) NRL appearances: 139 (2016-2023) Cronulla Sutherland Sharks: 64 (2016-2019) Penrith Panthers: 32 (2020-2021) Brisbane Broncos: 43 (2022-2023) NRL points: 109 (27 tries, field goal) Cronulla Sutherland Sharks: 24 (6 tries) Penrith Panthers: 40 (10 tries) Brisbane Broncos: 45 (11 tries, field goal) Representative: 9 State of Origin games for Queensland (2020-2022) |
