After a stellar 2015, Kurt Capewell has taken full flight for the Newtown Jets this season, picking up an NRL debut along the way.
The versatile second-rower was a vital part of the NRL State Championship-winning Ipswich Jets last year, before making the call to join the Jets of a different kind at Henson Park in 2016. A part of the Cronulla Sharks’ full-time squad, Capewell has been rewarded for his solid form with a taste of first grade Rugby League.
Having played 18 of the Jets’ 21 games this year, Capewell has consistently performed on a potent right edge. He has the speed and strength to make it in the NRL, has made the Intrust Super Premiership NSW Team Of The Week on three occasions, and has four tries to his name this season. In his Round 18 debut for the Sharks, the 23-year-old was solid in a 50 minute, 136 metre, 18 tackle performance off the bench.
While Capewell has played 17 of those games in the second row, he spent much of his time at Ipswich in the centres – and his versatility was on show for all to see with a successful switch out wide in Round 22. It was a Man-of-the-match performance in the 22-19 victory, picking up a try, setting up another and making three linebreaks for 197 metres.
“I think if I keep in good form, no matter where I’m playing, you sort of make your own luck when it comes to playing first grade,” Capewell told NSWRL.com.au after that victory – and he has done just that ahead of Round 24. With skipper Paul Gallen under an injury cloud, Capewell sat out the Jets’ win over North Sydneyand is a chance of playing his second game against the South Sydney Rabbitohs tonight. With the Rabbitohs hitting a purple patch of form and the second-placed Sharks coming off two consecutive losses, it will be another test for the Charleville junior at ANZ Stadium, should he partake in the match.
Witness history this September at the 2016 NSWRL Grand Final Day. On Sunday, 25 September the Intrust Super Premiership NSW decider, along with the Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield Grand Finals, take place at Pirtek Stadium, with tickets just $10 for adults and kids under 12 free. Click here to secure your seat.
