NRL 2021: Cowboys, Broncos battle for Kurt Capewell’s signature

Bitter rivals on the field, North Queensland and Brisbane are battling off it in the race for this versatile Maroon’s signature.

Queensland rivals the Cowboys and Broncos are locked in a tug of war for Kurt Capewell as the Maroons Origin utility weighs up a possible move from premiership powerhouse Penrith.

News Corp can reveal North Queensland’s interest in Capewell has escalated to a formal offer with the Cowboys tabling a two-year deal for the grand-final forward in the lead-up to the Origin series opener this Wednesday night.

Capewell will arrive in Townsville on Monday for Origin’s debut at Queensland Country Bank Stadium and Cowboys officials are hoping the 27-year-old has a more permanent stay in the tropics.

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The Cowboys have made moves to sign the off-contract Capewell until the end of 2023 and they appeared to be in the box seat after the Panthers originally discussed a 12-month extension.

Penrith have been hampered by salary-cap pressures as they try to keep their table-topping team intact, but it is understood they are exploring a two-year upgrade to stave off poaching raids from Queensland.

Kurt Capewell is being chased by Queensland rivals the Broncos and Cowboys. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

The Broncos tabled a two-year deal to Capewell in pre-season, but their offer of around $300,000 a season was shy of the Maroons utility’s current salary of $380,000 at Penrith.

Capewell is tipped to stay loyal to Penrith as he chases a maiden premiership ring with the ladder leaders, but his management revealed the Cowboys and Broncos remain in the race for his signature.

Should Capewell opt for a 12-month extension, it could also open the door for the NRL’s proposed new second Brisbane team to secure his services as a foundation player in 2023.

“Kurt hasn’t finalised his future yet, the Cowboys and Broncos are still very much in the picture,” said his manager Clinton Schifcofske.

“It looked like Kurt was going to stay at the Panthers but Penrith’s position has changed a little bit, so we’ll see where he ends up.

“The Cowboys have tabled an offer and they have been great in discussions. Kurt has been really impressed with Todd Payten (Cowboys coach) and Micheal Luck (head of football), they’ve conducted themselves really well so North Queensland are right in the mix.

“A second Brisbane team is also an option, but that could be a timing thing for Kurt depending on the length of his next deal.”

Kurt Capewell is chasing a premiership ring with the Panthers. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

It is understood the Cowboys will consider a three-year deal to get Capewell’s signature over the line.

A veteran of 83 NRL games, Capewell is in the best form of his career and the Charleville product was outstanding in his maiden Origin campaign for the Maroons last November.

Capewell said he would look to finalise his NRL future after this year’s Origin series as he focuses on back-to-back series titles with the Maroons.

“My manager is doing most of that (contract negotiations) for me. I am concentrating on trying to win games with Penrith,” he said as he prepares for his fourth Origin match.

“We have a pretty good winning streak at the moment. I have not focused on that stuff too much.

“I am not in a massive rush to get anything done. I just want to get through this Origin period and keep playing good footy.’”

Capewell admits it would be difficult to walk away from a Penrith side motivated for a premiership after last year’s grand-final loss to Melbourne.

“It’s awesome being at Penrith,” he said. “No-one misses a beat. Everyone is really switched on and trains well.

“It is just great to be a part of a winning club.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Cowboys, Broncos battle for Kurt Capewell’s signature