NRL: NZ Warriors recruit Kurt Capewell savours first taste of life at Mt Smart

NZ Warriors recruit Kurt Capewell has received a warm welcome at his new NRL club - in more ways than one.

"It's been beautiful here," Capewell said after another sun-soaked training at the team's spiritual headquarters in Penrose.  

"30 degrees almost every day," he added, generously rounding up a degree or two.

"Living over in New Zealand has never been a deterrent to [joining] the Warriors in my eyes. It's a beautiful country.  

"I'm stoked with the move so far. Just not really looking forward to the winter."

The flocks of the club's die-hard fans have also ensured the transition has been seamless for the Australian, who's already endured countless random 'Up the Wahs' outbursts on the streets, while his teammates have also welcomed him open arms - and a few friendly jibes.

"They've been awesome," he said of his new squad mates.

"They've got a few larrikins in there - Dylan Walker is definitely not shy of a word. It's been great. They've been really good, on the field and off the field as well.  

"The club's got a massive following at the moment...shout out to all the fans that I've seen in the street and have come up and say 'g'day'- they're very welcoming out here.

"I'm looking forward to round one and getting a chance to play in front of them here and seeing the stadium packed out."

The forward signed a three-year deal in December to join the Warriors, parting ways with a Brisbane Broncos club he led to the last year's NRL Grand Final, where they were ultimately beaten by Penrith Panthers in one of the most dramatic matches in the showpiece's history. 

The former Queensland State of Origin representative had been one of the primary off-season targets for coach Andrew Webster, who was familiar with what Capewell brough to the table both on the field and in the locker-room from the years they spent together at Penrith.

He worked alongside then assistant coach Webster at the Panthers, under Ivan Cleary, during their run to the 2021 NRL Premiership.

And it's been Webster's meticulous approach during the early stages of pre-season training that has stood out so far for the 30-year-old, who is already relishing being back alongside his former coach, who has clearly levelled up himself in the past three years.

"The detail around everything," Capewell replied, when asked what had caught his eye at Mt Smart so far.

"Webby is very specific in a lot of the drills he does right down to the minor details with footwork and everything.  

"It's been a bit different to what I'm used to, but it's great to get back into that sort of stuff.  

"I see the squad really improving every day so it's been a good start with pre-season."

Capewell was part of the Broncos team that ended the Warriors' deep playoff run at the preliminary final stage earlier this year, when they're remarkable transformation from wooden spooners to legitimate title contenders  

Well aware of what a winning environment feels like from his championship days in western Sydney, Capewell says he's already getting similar vibes in Auckland.

"I haven't been here too long to comment too much on it. But from what I can say, they're heading in the right direction. Leaving no boxes unticked.

"The amount of work ethic from not just the coaching staff, but all the boys and from the playing group as well has been tremendous.  

"It's been very impressive to see."

With the likes of former Dally M medallist Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Chanel Harris-Tavita back in the fray, Capewell is confident the Auckland-based side can go even further next season.

Built very much in the mould of former Warriors enforcer Kevin Campion, Capewell is a high motor, high work rate player, whose ability to play the full 80 minutes in one of rugby league's most demanding positions makes him a hugely valuable asset.

He believes his skillset uits the current squad perfectly and, even at this early stage, is convinced his move to Aotearoa was the perfect antidote.

"After seeing where [the Warriors] were headed last year and what they could do in one year, I wanted to be part of what they can do this year as well.

"I couldn't find a better club. A club that's definitely on the up. Knowing Webby and having worked under him before, made it a very easy switch for me

"Now it's time to get down to business."

NZ Warriors recruit Kurt Capewell has received a warm welcome at his new NRL club - in more ways than one.

"It's been beautiful here," Capewell said after another sun-soaked training at the team's spiritual headquarters in Penrose.  

"30 degrees almost every day," he added, generously rounding up a degree or two.

"Living over in New Zealand has never been a deterrent to [joining] the Warriors in my eyes. It's a beautiful country.  

"I'm stoked with the move so far. Just not really looking forward to the winter."

The flocks of the club's die-hard fans have also ensured the transition has been seamless for the Australian, who's already endured countless random 'Up the Wahs' outbursts on the streets, while his teammates have also welcomed him open arms - and a few friendly jibes.

"They've been awesome," he said of his new squad mates.

"They've got a few larrikins in there - Dylan Walker is definitely not shy of a word. It's been great. They've been really good, on the field and off the field as well.  

"The club's got a massive following at the moment...shout out to all the fans that I've seen in the street and have come up and say 'g'day'- they're very welcoming out here.

"I'm looking forward to round one and getting a chance to play in front of them here and seeing the stadium packed out."

The forward signed a three-year deal in December to join the Warriors, parting ways with a Brisbane Broncos club he led to the last year's NRL Grand Final, where they were ultimately beaten by Penrith Panthers in one of the most dramatic matches in the showpiece's history. 

The former Queensland State of Origin representative had been one of the primary off-season targets for coach Andrew Webster, who was familiar with what Capewell brough to the table both on the field and in the locker-room from the years they spent together at Penrith.

He worked alongside then assistant coach Webster at the Panthers, under Ivan Cleary, during their run to the 2021 NRL Premiership.

And it's been Webster's meticulous approach during the early stages of pre-season training that has stood out so far for the 30-year-old, who is already relishing being back alongside his former coach, who has clearly levelled up himself in the past three years.

"The detail around everything," Capewell replied, when asked what had caught his eye at Mt Smart so far.

"Webby is very specific in a lot of the drills he does right down to the minor details with footwork and everything.  

"It's been a bit different to what I'm used to, but it's great to get back into that sort of stuff.  

"I see the squad really improving every day so it's been a good start with pre-season."

Capewell was part of the Broncos team that ended the Warriors' deep playoff run at the preliminary final stage earlier this year, when they're remarkable transformation from wooden spooners to legitimate title contenders  

Well aware of what a winning environment feels like from his championship days in western Sydney, Capewell says he's already getting similar vibes in Auckland.

"I haven't been here too long to comment too much on it. But from what I can say, they're heading in the right direction. Leaving no boxes unticked.

"The amount of work ethic from not just the coaching staff, but all the boys and from the playing group as well has been tremendous.  

"It's been very impressive to see."

With the likes of former Dally M medallist Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Chanel Harris-Tavita back in the fray, Capewell is confident the Auckland-based side can go even further next season.

Built very much in the mould of former Warriors enforcer Kevin Campion, Capewell is a high motor, high work rate player, whose ability to play the full 80 minutes in one of rugby league's most demanding positions makes him a hugely valuable asset.

He believes his skillset uits the current squad perfectly and, even at this early stage, is convinced his move to Aotearoa was the perfect antidote.

"After seeing where [the Warriors] were headed last year and what they could do in one year, I wanted to be part of what they can do this year as well.

"I couldn't find a better club. A club that's definitely on the up. Knowing Webby and having worked under him before, made it a very easy switch for me

"Now it's time to get down to business."

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