One New Zealand Warriors second rower Kurt Capewell has been recalled to the Queensland squad for the second match of the State or Origin series against New South Wales at Optus Stadium in Perth on Wednesday week (June 18).
The 31-year-old is among a number of changes made by head coach Billy Slater following the Maroons’ 6-18 loss to the Blues in Origin I at Suncorp Stadium on May 28.
He has been named in a 20-man squad in a lineup which is notable for the absence of long-time Queensland halfback Daly Cherry-Evans. Also brought in are Corey Horsburgh, Jack Howarth and Ezra Mam.
Others left out of the extended Origin I squad are Beau Fermor, Jesse Arthars and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Capewell has been outstanding for the Warriors this season in a campaign which has seen him used as a starting centre four times following injury issues in the outside backs.
He was typically wholehearted in his 170th NRL appearance on Saturday night as the Warriors produced a superb display in beating Cronulla Sutherland 40-10.
Capewell’s Origin return is a repeat of what happened last season.
Not selected in the opening match, he was brought onto the bench for game two in Melbourne and then started in the second row in the series decider in Brisbane.
The New South Wales side is due to be named later today with One New Zealand Warriors Mitchell Barnett one forced change.
Barnett was a key contributor when he made his first start in just his second Origin appearance in New South Wales’ victory in Brisbane on May 28 but suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Warriors’ round 13 NRL clash against South Sydney.
State of Origin II | Queensland
Kurt Capewell (New Zealand Warriors)
Patrick Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)
Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)
Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)
Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)
Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys)
Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)
Moeaki Fotuaika (Gold Coast Titans)
Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)
Valentine Holmes (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Corey Horsburgh (Canberra Raiders)
Jack Howarth (Melbourne Storm)
Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm)
Ezra Mam (Brisbane Broncos)
Kurt Mann (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)
Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys)
Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (The Dolphins)
Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)
