NRL 2022: Kurt Capewell bullish about Brisbane Broncos’ new-look squad
Broncos recruit Kurt Capewell has seen enough in pre-season to believe Brisbane can bounce back into finals contention in 2022.
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Broncos premiership-winning recruit Kurt Capewell has given his verdict on the status at Red Hill, insisting an injection of leadership will propel Brisbane back into NRL finals contention.
Capewell is expected to pull on a Broncos jersey for the first time in Saturday week’s trial against the Titans on the Gold Coast after being rested from this weekend’s hitout at Wynnum-Manly.
Rookie sensation Ezra Mam will wear the No.6 for Brisbane against Wynnum on Saturday in a team that will feature Tom Flegler, Jamayne Isaako, Cory Paix, Jordan Pereira, Brendan Piakura, Tyrone Roberts, Kobe Hetherington, Brenko Lee, Te Maire Martin and Billy Walters.
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It has been four months since Capewell tasted NRL premiership success for the first time after helping Penrith clinch the 2021 title with a Suncorp Stadium grand final win against South Sydney.
The Queensland Origin forward had already committed to joining the Broncos on a three-year contract until at least 2024.
Capewell, 28, arrived at Red Hill on the back of the worst two seasons in Broncos’ history, with the club claiming the 2020 wooden spoon and finishing 14th last year.
But the versatile back-rower has not been shocked by what he has seen since landing in Brisbane, insisting the Broncos’ young squad has done little wrong during an impressive pre-season.
Along with Capewell, the Broncos have added some experience to their roster in the likes of former club captains Adam Reynolds (Souths) and Ryan James (Gold Coast). And Capewell believes that injection of leadership will help nurture Brisbane’s blossoming young talent.
“It’s been awesome, we’ve got an awesome group of blokes and everyone is so hungry and working so hard at the moment,” Capewell said.
“There’s not too much (that needed to change), everyone is so hungry and eager to work.
“It’s just leadership around the park and that’s what Adam’s here for. He has a great kicking game too which helps.
“These young boys are working so hard and putting in so much effort. You’ll really see the benefit of that.
“With a bit of leadership in the team, it helps point us in the right direction.
“All the effort and ability is there. It’s a matter of channelling it the right way and I think you’ll see that come round one.”
Capewell arrives at the Broncos with 96 games of NRL experience following six seasons with the Sharks and Panthers. He is one of the older heads in a team full of youth, but has enjoyed being a respected voice among the playing group.
“I’m pretty old in this squad,” he said.
“I do enjoy the leadership role. I feel like I’ve got a lot to give there after being at a couple of great clubs with some awesome players that were able to teach me a lot.
“There is definitely something I can provide there and they are definitely listening.
“Their commitment to the pre-season this year and how hungry they are and eager to be better is awesome. I definitely think you’ll see a difference.”
Capewell joined Broncos NRLW player Shenae Ciesiolka, QRL chief Rohan Sawyer and ARL commissioner Kate Jones on Tuesday to launch the upcoming Queensland participation season.
The past two years of grassroots footy have been severely affected by Covid and Jones said now was a great time for parents to get their kids into rugby league.
“This is the first time the NRL has really funded a community campaign to help people get back playing footy,” she said. “Covid has been really tough over the last two years and kids haven’t had the opportunity to play sport like they have in the past.
“This campaign is about encouraging parents and families to choose rugby league this season. Sign-up starts now and we’ll be kicking off the season in March.
“Now is the time to be thinking about football. Kids can have a great time being fit and healthy and also learning key disciplines around teamwork, mateship and resilience.
“That’s what rugby league is all about.”
Broncos bolter making big impact
By Chris Honnery
The Broncos are set to unearth boom backrower Zac Hosking in this weekend’s trial match as players prepare to push for a Round 1 starting spot.
Brisbane Broncos kick off their year with a trial match against feeder club Wynnum Manly on Saturday afternoon at Kougari Oval with several new faces in the frame to play for the Broncos, including Hosking.
The former NSW Cup Player of the Year is at Red Hill on a train-and-trial contract and trained with the suspected Broncos trial team during their Monday morning session.
The 24-year-old is the son of former South Sydney and Manly player David ‘Mule’ Hosking and was part of the Newcastle Knights system last year before signing with Broncos feeder club Wynnum Manly for the 2022 season.
Hosking has been likened to Maroons hard man Dallas Johnson by his Brisbane teammates as he looks to make a case for an NRL debut this year.
“He’s been good,” Broncos centre Brenko Lee said.
“He’s got a big future in front of him.
“He’s the sort of guy you need (in your team), sort of like a Dallas Johnson.
“They just do all the dirty work and gritty stuff that no one talks about but guys like that are really big on the team.
“A bit like Dale Finucane. People don’t really talk about it but you need those guys and they’re the blokes you want to play with.
“They put their head where most people don’t put their feet.
“He’s got a big future here and if he plays some good games in the trial matches he’ll be pushing really well for a spot.”
Brisbane’s trial team will be named this week as players look to use the opportunity to push for a starting spot in Round 1.
One spot up for grabs is the No.6 jersey to partner captain Adam Reynolds in the halves and Billy Walters, Ezra Mam and Te Maire Martin will be eyeing this weekend as a chance to impress coach Kevin Walters.
Lee said the trial match wasn’t going to be taken lightly as the club looks to start the year off on a high note.
“Everyone trains hard at this part of year and so they should,” he said.
“You never go into a season wanting to lose games or hit the bottom eight.
“At the end of the day, I don’t feel like there’s a team that should be rebuilding – you’ve got to try and win a premiership whenever you play and that’s what we’re doing here.
“Last year is last year and we’ve forgot about that. We want to start well and it starts with these trials.
“You’re kidding yourself if you say you don’t want to win a trial because once you put on a Broncos jersey, it means business.
“We’ve got to go out there and put your heart and soul out for the club.”
Boom Bronco backed to start as poaching war erupts
Broncos great Steve Renouf believes young gun Selwyn Cobbo should be in Brisbane’s best 17 come Round 1 as a bidding war erupts for the boom teenager.
As revealed by News Corp last week, a multimillion-dollar poaching war has erupted over the 19-year-old with as many as five clubs, including rival Brisbane club the Dolphins, interested in his signature.
Cobbo has been training with Brisbane’s main 17 during the pre-season, with stints at fullback, centre and on the wing.
Coach Kevin Walters has already admitted Cobbo “will be somewhere in the outside backs” this year and club legend Renouf could not agree more.
“One player I think will have a big year, and who is only new into the team … is Selwyn Cobbo,” Renouf said.
“This kid can play and he’s shown what he can do.
“He finished the season off well for them and then went on to play in the Queensland Cup grand final.
“He’s going to definitely be a player on the rise.”
Cobbo made his NRL debut in 2021, playing seven games for the Broncos on the wing and at centre, and scored two tries along with 25 tackle breaks.
The Cherbourg product also helped steer his feeder club – Wynnum Manly Seagulls in Queensland’s Hostplus Cup – to a grand final berth last year through his freakish ability at fullback.
Renouf, one of Brisbane’s greatest centres, said Cobbo was primed to make his mark on the game following his first NRL pre-season with the Broncos and urged Walters to find a spot in the starting squad for the youngster.
“This is his first full NRL pre-season and he’s a good player, a good kid,” he said.
“Depending on how the trials go, he’ll go close to starting in that first game.
“If it’s not at fullback, it’ll be on the wing or in the centres.
“He played on the wing last year and he will play wherever you put him.
“I like him at centre but he’s a player where fullback will suit him.
“The more you can get the ball in his hands, the better.”
Brisbane are looking to bounce back from two seasons at the bottom of the NRL ladder and have welcomed several new recruits in 2022, including new captain Adam Reynolds.
Renouf has been spending time with several current Broncos players in his role as a Deadly Choices ambassador and revealed how the players were feeling ahead of the upcoming season.
“They’re upbeat, looking forward to the season,” he said.
“The big thing around the club now is to forget about what happened (in the past two years).
“Let’s just move on with what we’ve got.
“We finished last year on a positive note and they build from that.”
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