He’s been a consistent performer in the second row for a dangerous Newtown side, but on Saturday Kurt Capewell proved he can more than handle life in the centres.
Capewell was impressive from the opening whistle in the Jets’ 22-19 win over the Knights, crossing for his side’s first try to level things up at Hunter Stadium. The 23-year-old went on to make 197 metres, three linebreaks and a try assist in his first full match in the centres, deservedly earning Man Of The Match honours.
In an at-times disorganised team attack, however, it was the forwards who Capewell credited with the victory.
“I think the whole second half our attack was a bit scattered, but I’ve got to give credit to our forwards,” Capewell told NSWRL.com.au. “Our on-line defence was outstanding and that’s what sort of got us through.
“We were lucky enough to get away with it – it sort of went down to the wire but good win nonetheless.”
The Jets sit in fifth position after Round 22 and are assured a finals berth, but will be hopeful of a top four finish when the regular season concludes in three weeks’ time. Capewell is confident that the team can challenge for the title in 2016.
“Yeah I’m feeling confident I think we’ve got a lot of improvement in us, we sort of got shuffled around a bit with the Origin period,” Capewell said. “Going into the finals, if we put a fairly good team on the park and we keep our sense and go to plan we should go all right.”
On a personal level, Capewell is contracted to the Sharks for 2016 – a side with sufficient backline depth and near-favourites for the NRL premiership. It has been a tough ask for the former Ipswich Jets star to crack the top grade this season, but in showing his versatility he has pushed his case regardless.
“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. “As long as I play good every week – no matter where it is that I play – I’m happy.”
