We can count on Kurt, says Kev

BRONCOS coach Kevin Walters has hailed Kurt Capewell as his premiership X-factor as Brisbane banks on the Queensland Origin star’s biggame know-how to break the club’s 16-year title drought.

Having navigated a third consecutive gruelling Origin campaign, Capewell has shifted his focus to ramping-up Brisbane’s top-four ambitions – starting against the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

While marquee recruit Adam Reynolds has dominated headlines this season with his sizzling touches at halfback, Broncos insiders say Capewell is the unsung hero who drives Brisbane’s cultural standards at Red Hill.

If training is sloppy, Capewell demands a lift in intensity. If a teammate takes a shortcut, Capewell isn’t afraid to call him out.

It is the attitude to the “one percenters” Capewell cultivated during his two-year stint at Penrith that finished with the ultimate reward of a premiership ring last season before his shift to the Broncos.

Walters says the round 20 clash against the Tigers represents a moment for Brisbane to go up another gear at a time when the jury is out on whether the Broncos’ posse of young guns can hold their nerve in the finals.

But Walters says the presence of Reynolds and Capewell, who has played in the past two NRL grand finals for Penrith, gives him confidence the reborn Broncos will not crack.

“Kurt has been outstanding for us, particularly as a leader for our younger guys,” Walters said. “He’s been there and done it, he’s won a premiership, and there’s not too many guys at this club who can say they have achieved that.

“The intensity of the games is about to go up a level and it’s comforting to know Kurt and Adam have been in these situations. We now have guys out there on the field who have delivered in those big situations. That’s a huge help for us, Kurt has brought a lot of calmness and experience to our forward pack.”

At Broncos training on Tuesday, Capewell took time out to have words with young gun centre Deine Mariner. The 19-year-old will make his NRL debut against the Tigers outside Capewell on Brisbane’s left side and the Maroons back-rower pledged to protect him defensively.

“It’s awesome to see a young fella get his debut,” said Capewell, who plays his 110th NRL game this week.

“Deine is a great talent, he has worked hard to get where he is and it’s good to see him get rewarded for it. I will try to help him out and give him confidence. I just said to Deine, ‘Keep it simple, make your first hit-up, get your first touch, make your first tackle’ and the game will go from there.”