Kurt Capewell

Kurt Capewell is as Queensland as they come, displaying the passion rugby league fans have come to expect from a player who has worked hard every step of the way to get to the pinnacle of the sport. 

Capewell grew up at Charleville, the western Queensland town which also produced 1994 Queensland State of Origin utility, Adrian Vowles. Capewell boarded at Ipswich Grammar, where he played rugby union, while also playing club league for Ipswich Norths.

Capewell later played rugby league for the Ipswich Jets, before linking with the Broncos under 20s. He then had six months with the Sydney Roosters, before returning to Ipswich.

He played second row for the Ipswich Jets in their 32-20 win over Townsville Blackhawks in the Queensland Cup grand final, and credits Ipswich coaches, brothers Ben Walker and Shane Walker, for much of his rugby league success.

Capewell signed with Cronulla Sharks in 2016, and made his NRL debut off the bench against Penrith in Round 18. He played a number of games at centre for the Sharks in 2017, but switched to the pack the following season.

Capewell signed with Penrith in 2020 and came off the bench for the Panthers in their 26-20 loss to Melbourne in the NRL grand final.

He was named as 18th man for Queensland, ahead of the first match of the 2020 State of Origin series in Adelaide, on November 4, but came into the starting side after centre, Brenko Lee withdrew with a calf injury.

You grow up supporting Queensland ... You live and breathe it. I remember as a kid looking forward to every Wednesday when Origin is on.

Kurt Capewell FOG #206

Capewell's stunning debut was highlighted by a spur-of-the-moment kick, after 48 minutes, with fellow debutant AJ Brimson latching onto the ball to score the try which started the Maroons comeback.

Queensland won 18-14, after the Blues had led 10-0 at halftime. Capewell also played centre in the return match in Sydney, with NSW winning 34-10. He returned to his more favoured second row spot for the decider, and played his part in Queensland's 20-14 win.

Capewell played centre in Game I and Game II in 2021, before once again starting in the second row, in Game III.

Capewell's achievements have been acknowledged in his hometown, with Charleville renamed ‘Kurtsville’, by the local Murweh Shire Council, for 24 hours, after the Maroons' 2020 series win.

He played second row in Penrith's 14-12 win over South Sydney in the 2021 NRL grand final.

In 2022, Capewell returned home to Queensland, signing with the Brisbane Broncos. Capewell was recalled for the 2022 Origin series, playing all three games for Queensland. The Broncos forward went on to score a try for the Maroons in their 22-12 Game III series deciding victory at Suncorp Stadium. 

Capewell had a big year with the Broncos in 2023, playing 24 games for the club including the Grand Final match against his former club Penrith Panthers. 

Capewell joined the New Zealand Warriors in 2024 and quickly became a prominent figure in the side forming a combination with Shaun Johnson. Due to his form with the Warriors, Capewell was recalled to the Maroons side and played two games for Queensland. He finished the season playing 18 games and scoring 6 tries for the Warriors.