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One New Zealand Warriors second rower Kurt Capewell has been selected to make his 12th appearance for Queensland in the 2025 State of Origin series decider against New South Wales at Accor Stadium in Syndey on Wednesday week (July 9).

The 31-year-old Charleville-raised NRL veteran was brought back into the Origin arena by Maroons coach Billy Slater for Origin II.

He paid back the faith with an outstanding performance that saw him rated the man of the match by many including Warriors head coach Andrew Webster.

After losing 6-18 in the series opener, the Maroons held on to beat the Blues 26-24 at Optus Stadium in Perth with Capewell exceptional in a wholehearted effort which saw him score a vital first half try, make 107 metres from 11 tough runs with four tackle breaks and 37 tackles; no tackle was more important than his game-defining effort in the final seconds when he dislodged the ball from Blues prop Payne Haas’ grasp close to Queensland’s goal-line).

Slater has made some big selection calls for the series finale recalling experienced prop Josh Papalii, who comes out of representative retirement.

The Canberra enforcer last played Origin in 2022 and is set to start in his 24th Origin match in Sydney. 

In another selection move, Broncos centre Gehamat Shibasaki has earned his first Maroons jersey following his strong form in the NRL while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow moves to fullback replacing the injured Kalyn Ponga.

State of Origin III | Queensland Maroons

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (The Dolphins)
2. Xavier Coates (Melbourne Storm)
3. Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)
4. Gehamat Shibasaki (Brisbane Broncos)
5. Valentine Holmes (St George Illawarra Dragons)
6. Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm – Captain)
7. Tom Dearden (North Queensland Cowboys)
8. Josh Papalii (Canberra Raiders)
9. Harry Grant (Melbourne Storm)
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui (Gold Coast Titans)
11. Reuben Cotter (North Queensland Cowboys)
12. Kurt Capewell (One New Zealand Warriors)
13. Trent Loiero (Melbourne Storm)
14. Kurt Mann (Canterbury Bulldogs)
15. Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)
16. Pat Carrigan (Brisbane Broncos)
17. Jeremiah Nanai (North Queensland Cowboys)
18. Reece Walsh (Brisbane Broncos)
19. J’maine Hopgood (Parramatta Eels)
20. Josh Kerr (The Dolphins)