Capras back rower Nixon Putt stars in Hostplus Cup opening rounds

A PNG international and fan favourite has returned to the Capras in red-hot form. See which other players have also impressed in the early stages of the men’s season.

The CQ Capras are currently sitting ninth on the Hostplus Cup ladder. Photo: Luke Fletcher

Barnstorming back rower Nixon Putt is stamping his authority on his return to the Hostplus Cup with the CQ Capras.

The Papua New Guinea international has been a standout for the team in its opening four fixtures.

The 29-year-old leads the competition in offloads with 11. He has the most run metres for the Capras with 295 (sixth overall), as well as the most post-contact metres with 294 (second overall).

Those stats come as no surprise to coach Lionel Harbin, given Putt was one of the Capras’ most consistent in the 57 games he played between 2021 and 2023 before joining the Castleford Tigers in the Super League last year.

“You know you’re going to get with Nixon. He’s all about effort and he gets heavily involved,” he said.

The Capras champion back rower, Nixon Putt. Photo: Luke Fletcher

“He’s been a real leader on the field for us, and we’re looking forward to him continuing to bring that same energy and same effort.

“It’s been a real bonus having him back.”

The Capras are currently ninth on the ladder with five points from four games (one win, a draw, a bye and two losses).

They do, however, have a game in hand after their season opener against Burleigh was postponed due to wet weather and rescheduled for August 2.

They are on the road this weekend to take on the 14th placed Souths Logan Magpies at Brisbane’s Davies Park at 3pm Sunday.

Capras' head coach Lionel Harbin. Photo: Luke Fletcher

Harbin said the Capras would be focused on starting better after giving away early leads in their past losses to the Townsville Blackhawks and Burleigh Bears.

But he was heartened by the way his team rallied to get themselves back into those contests, creating opportunities that could ultimately have got them the points, particularly against Burleigh.

“Our execution, especially when we were attacking the opposition tryline, hasn’t been where we want it to be,” he said.

“But we’ve shown a real willingness to stay in the fight and play until the 80th minute.

“If we continue to do that, we’ll give ourselves every chance to win footy games.”

Capras’ leading performers

Points

They have scored 96 points (18 tries) and conceded 86 (17 tries).

At 24.0 points a game, they are equal sixth in points per game scored; they are fourth in defence, conceding 21.5 points a game.

Blake Moore. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Blake Moore is top points-scorer with 36 points from two tries and 14 goals from 20 attempts (70 percent), equal third top points-scorer in the competition.

Tevita Naufahu is top try-scorer with seven (including four against Mackay), equal second try-scorer in the competition.

Attack

Tevita Naufahu. Photo: Luke Fletcher

Tevita Naufahu has the most line breaks with five (equal third in the competition). He also has the most tackle breaks with 15 (equal 18th in the competition).

Nixon Putt is leading the competition in offloads with 11. He also has the most run metres with 695 (sixth in the competition) and most post contact metres 294 (second in the competition).

Blake Moore has the most try assists with three (equal 16th in the competition).

Defence

Harrison Graham has the most tackles with 141 (equal 13th in the competition).

Originally published as Capras back rower Nixon Putt stars in Hostplus Cup opening rounds