The Brisbane Broncos have locked in State of Origin talent Kurt Capewell from Penrith on a three-year deal from next season as part of their club rebuild.
The Penrith back-rower has played at centre at Origin level and will join a Broncos side that will have South Sydney champion Adam Reynolds in charge of its attack from 2022.
It’s the first recruitment move for the last-placed Broncos since Ben Ikin came on board as a football and performance director last week.
Ikin has a huge opinion of Capewell, who has played 84 NRL games for both Cronulla and Penrith, as well as five games for Queensland.
“Kurt has talent, footy smarts, experience and a strong work ethic, all attributes we want here at the Broncos,” Ikin said.
“In the past 12 months, he has played in an NRL grand final and a winning Queensland State Of Origin team – that experience will be invaluable for our playing group.
“We have some great emerging talent here at the club who are learning to be true rugby league professionals, and I think Kurt will be a perfect addition to the squad in that respect.”
It’s a homecoming of sorts for Capewell, who played under-20s with the Broncos in 2012 and 2013, as well as a grand final win with the Ipswich Jets in 2015 before joining the Sharks in their NRL premiership season.
The 27-year-old moved to the Panthers last year and went on to play in a Grand Final before being selected for the Maroon’s upset Origin series win over the Blues. He has played 84 NRL games and made five appearances for Queensland.
AAP
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