Capewell hungry to return

Broncos vice-captain Kurt Capewell has broken his silence on his shock State of Origin axing and vowed to fight his way back into the Queensland side for Game Two.

Capewell will use his omission for the Origin opener on Wednesday week as motivation to haul the Broncos out of a minor form slump in Brisbane’s clash against the Warriors in New Zealand on Saturday.

The Charleville veteran has been a key member of the Maroons, having played nine consecutive games across three series since his debut for Queensland in Origin at Adelaide Oval in 2020.

But Capewell will not be back on South Australian soil after joining Queensland duo Kalyn Ponga and Dane Gagai as casualties for the 2023 series opener against NSW.

Capewell started Brisbane’s premiership campaign in fine form but admits his form had dipped in the past month, coinciding with Broncos’ slide from first to fourth after three losses in four matches.

“Bill (Queensland coach Billy Slater) rang me and it was good of him to let me know (he had missed selection),” Capewell said. “I was sitting around wondering, unfortunately I didn’t make the cut. I probably haven’t been in my best form of late, so he (Slater) is picking blokes who are in good form and hopefully we still get the job done in Origin I.”

Queensland’s loss is Brisbane’s gain, with the Broncos to have the key leadership of Capewell and skipper Adam Reynolds for their difficult road trip to Napier to face the vastly-improved Warriors.

Slater insists he has not closed the door on Capewell, Ponga and Gagai and the Bronco is hellbent on unseating Maroons starting duo Tom Gilbert and David Fifita.

Asked if he hopes to be back in the Queensland side for Origin II, Capewell said: “100 per cent. I want to play myself back into form and put myself back in the picture for Game Two.”