Origin duo epitomising commitment to club

Mitchell Barnett and Kurt Capewell were exceptional backing up just 48 hours after their State of Origin exertions in the One New Zealand Warriors' agonising 18-20 NRL loss to Canberra on Friday night.

On Wednesday night they experienced vastly contrasting emotions, Barnett’s Origin debut coinciding with New South Wales taking out the series while Capewell was left grappling with defeat.

Barnett was on the field for 48 minutes and Capewell for 72 minutes in one of the most exhausting contests in Origin history; on Thursday they flew to Canberra to join their Warriors teammates in camp.

Despite being battered and bruised they were both outstanding backing up for their club.

Barnett was off the field for just seven minutes between his two stints while Capewell played for the full 80 minutes, only eight minutes in the second row before being switched to the centres for 72 minutes after fullback Taine Tuaupiki was ruled out after an early head knock.

There would be no collective team joy for the duo but they both derived some personal satisfaction by scoring second half tries (Capewell’s his first for the club) which put the Warriors back in the fight after conceding a 0-14 deficit in the opening minutes.

They never stopped putting in, Barnett finishing with 159 metres from 17 runs with a line break and three tackle breaks plus 41 tackles while Capewell made 137 metres from 14 runs with a line break and two tackle breaks plus 15 tackles.

Missing the match was never a consideration.

“It didn’t cross my mind,” said Barnett.

“Where we’re at, I consider myself a leader at this club so the first thing I wanted to do was to back up.

“I wouldn’t have been where I am if it wasn’t for the boys in the locker room so the best thing I could do was front up for them.

“I’m feeling it a bit at the moment, probably more disappointed with today’s result. It hurts a lot.”