NRL 2024: The Warriors confirm interest in Brisbane Broncos star Kurt Capewell

The Warriors have confirmed they want to sign premiership star Kurt Capewell. Travis Meyn and Peter Badel reveal how they plan to lure him across the ditch.

The Warriors have confirmed they want to sign Broncos forward Kurt Capewell and revealed how they plan to tempt the Brisbane premiership star across the ditch.

Capewell has been linked with a move to New Zealand after being spotted dining with Warriors coach Andrew Webster in Auckland over the weekend.

Capewell, 30, is off-contract from the Broncos at the end of the 2024 season and early indications suggest he will not be offered an extension following last week’s multimillion-dollar retention of rising backrowers Jordan Riki and Brendan Piakura until 2027.

There has been speculation Capewell could potentially exit Red Hill immediately, however Broncos recruitment chief Simon Scanlan said the club had not formally granted the former Queensland Origin star permission to negotiate with rival clubs for the 2024 season.

That could change though, with the Warriors keen to welcome Capewell immediately on a three-year deal if the Broncos agree to release him from the final season of his contract.

The Warriors were the surprise packets of the NRL last season, surging to a top four finish and preliminary finals appearance, ironically against the Broncos, as Webster was crowned Dally M coach-of-the-year.

Kurt Capewell would bring quality leadership traits to the Warriors. Picture: Jonathan Ng

The Warriors lost a homesick Reece Walsh to the Broncos last year, but could now get one back on Brisbane by signing a proven premiership performer in Capewell, who played in Penrith’s victorious 2021 team before losing last season’s decider to his former club.

Warriors CEO Cameron George confirmed the club’s interest in Capewell and said New Zealand was an attractive proposition for Australian players due to government financial incentives.

“Kurt is interested in what his future may look like and at this point in time, he is weighing things up,” he said.

“He was here on the weekend, he had a look around and he is contracted to the Broncos. Once we understand where he stands with the Broncos, then we can have further discussions.

“If we can be a part of that, we would love to talk with him further. That’s where we are at. We are waiting to understand what his thoughts are and we’ll go from there.

“A key attribute is Kurt’s leadership and experience. He is a quality footy player, he has won a premiership.

Capewell played in Brisbane’s losing grand final team. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“We haven’t got to the point yet of any deals. The first thing we need to do is understand whether a player wants to relocate and if they are, then we move forward.

“Being in New Zealand has its challenges (for signing Australian players), but there’s also a lot of upside too.

“We have a much better taxation system here, we don’t pay stamp duty for houses, it’s a great lifestyle and a great opportunity to raise a young family in such a great country.

“The footy world in New Zealand is a lot of fun, we have a lot of unique things to offer and hopefully Kurt wants to be a part of that.”

While the security of a three-year deal with the Warriors could be too good for Capewell to pass, the Broncos must decide whether they can afford to lose the 139-game NRL veteran immediately.

The Broncos have already lost three quality players from last season’s grand final team in Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler to the Dolphins and Keenan Palasia (Titans).

Another departure in Capewell would be a blow to Brisbane’s experience as they attempt to bounce back from the heartbreaking grand final capitulation to Penrith.