Capewell ready to be Mr Fix-it for Maroons after recall
Versatile Kurt Capewell is ready to fill the "do anything, anywhere and anytime" role for Queensland after winning a recall to the State of Origin arena.
The 30-year-old Warriors second-rower debuted for the Maroons in 2020 and played nine consecutive Origin games, winning two series, before being dropped for last year's series.
It's hard to make an Origin comeback post-30 but Capewell's adaptability and form for the Warriors won him a spot for game two of at the MCG next week after coach Billy Slater omitted Selwyn Cobbo, the No.17 in game one in Sydney.
Kurt Capewell (c) played nine consecutive Origin games before being dropped for last year's series. (Darren England/AAP PHOTOS)
Capewell was asked whether he thought the ship had sailed on his Origin career after not playing any part in last year's series win.
"I didn't know whether it was over or not, but I knew it would be hard to get back in the team," Capewell said.
"There is some great talent throughout Queensland and we are very lucky to be in the position we are, especially with back-rowers.
"To get the call up again, I'm just over the moon and ready to rip in and do my job for the team."
The fact Capewell has played centre on four occasions in Origin makes him a valuable asset with Slater cognisant of the fact that the Maroons have lost an outside back during the match in five of the past seven Origin games.
"I have played a bit of centre, played a bit of back-row and played in the middle, so I am happy to fill in wherever I can and help out and do whatever the team needs," Capewell said.
The former Brisbane, Penrith and Cronulla forward said he was glad Slater had kept him in mind.
"I'm not forgotten from across the ditch (in NZ), it's pretty much another separate state of Queensland over there," he grinned.
"It's been a great move for me personally with my footy and with my development as a player and leader.
"To be coached by another new coach under Webby (Andrew Webster), who is a great coach, I just keep on learning.
"Luckily enough, it's put me in a position to be part of this again."
Capewell, from Charleville, was a popular figure at the Maroons fan day in Toowoomba on Tuesday where more than 6000 turned out to watch the side train.
"It's not quite home, Charleville is only a short seven-hour drive away, but it's a satellite home for us," Capewell grinned.
"My two brothers live here and we were in Toowoomba a lot as kids and growing up. This is where we played a lot of our sport.
"It's great to get back here and you can see by the turnout how much this means to the people of the Darling Downs region all the way up to Warwick and Chinchilla.
"It's awesome to come back here and give back in a little way. Hopefully we can give back in the ultimate way next Wednesday."