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/www.photosport.nz
"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."
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