Kurt Capewell

[JJ]

I’m probably in your camp, feels a lot like the Ryan Hoffman sort of signing, on paper looks good but in reality outside a top system he didn’t really work out as was expected

Well, we were top 4 last year - probably need to ramp up our expectations - Capewell has been good everywhere he's played - Brisbane weren't exactly a 'top system' when he went there - he is a Hoffman type player, I guess.

I'm ambivalent about the signing, he's a very good player (not quite in the top echelon of edge back rowers), but I am not seeing our need in that position

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Well, we were top 4 last year - probably need to ramp up our expectations - Capewell has been good everywhere he's played - Brisbane weren't exactly a 'top system' when he went there - he is a Hoffman type player, I guess.

I'm ambivalent about the signing, he's a very good player (not quite in the top echelon of edge back rowers), but I am not seeing our need in that position

You dont think he's an upgrade from what we have on that left side?

I do like Ford... big engine and a good defender, but I think we need more attacking punch on that side to unlock Metcalf/Martin and I reckon Capewell can do that. Covers centre pretty well too, much like Niukore on the other side.

 

[JJ]

You dont think he's an upgrade from what we have on that left side?

I do like Ford... big engine and a good defender, but I think we need more attacking punch on that side to unlock Metcalf/Martin and I reckon Capewell can do that. Covers centre pretty well too, much like Niukore on the other side.

Oh yes, definitely an upgrade

I just see greater needs elsewhere, middle needs strengthening even before AFB leaves

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Oh yes, definitely an upgrade

I just see greater needs elsewhere, middle needs strengthening even before AFB leaves

Ah yep definitely agree there. I'm sure (I hope!) the search for good middles is continuing in parallel, and that Capewell was simply an opportunity that arose and which they jumped on.

But it does seem that quality front rowers are almost as rare as quality halves. Almost as expensive too.

 

[Beavers Headgear]

Well, we were top 4 last year - probably need to ramp up our expectations - Capewell has been good everywhere he's played - Brisbane weren't exactly a 'top system' when he went there - he is a Hoffman type player, I guess.

I'm ambivalent about the signing, he's a very good player (not quite in the top echelon of edge back rowers), but I am not seeing our need in that position

System may not be the correct choice of wording, another way to put it is his job to play well has been relatively easy when JFH, Leota, Haas, Flegler and Carrigan are doing the work in front of you compared to what he will have to provide next year

 

[SpaceMonkey]

But it does seem that quality front rowers are almost as rare as quality halves. Almost as expensive too.

The HIA rules have impacted front rowers the most. You just can’t carry players who aren’t capable of fairly big minutes any more, so big men with big motors now command an absolute premium.

 

[Chimp]

The HIA rules have impacted front rowers the most. You just can’t carry players who aren’t capable of fairly big minutes any more, so big men with big motors now command an absolute premium.

Exactly right. Take Haas for instance, you get 70 (if not 80 mins) of top quality output. To replace Haas (which you can’t), as most props can only knock out 30 or 40 mins of top effort; you essentially need 2 of them.
so you can either pay Haas $1m+ or 2 $550k props, who probably still don’t match his output or quality.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Exactly right. Take Haas for instance, you get 70 (if not 80 mins) of top quality output. To replace Haas (which you can’t), as most props can only knock out 30 or 40 mins of top effort; you essentially need 2 of them.
so you can either pay Haas $1m+ or 2 $550k props, who probably still don’t match his output or quality.

That’s why Haas, AFB and Tino are pretty much a level above every other front rower in the comp.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

Interesting. An upgrade on Jackson Ford in more than one way on our left edge.

Ford is Webby's favourite son. He be still in the mix. I feel he's here more for Tohu. Those legs don't have much game time left in them.

Good signing. Does he play prop?

Marata will be switching to Prop (I called this earlier in the year I hope it happens hes a beast)

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Ford is Webby's favourite son. He be still in the mix. I feel he's here more for Tohu. Those legs don't have much game time left in them.

Marata will be switching to Prop (I called this earlier in the year I hope it happens hes a beast)

With all due respect I hope neither of those options play out. I like Ford but the other 3 are previous rep players in their respective spots. Would hate to see them shuffled from where they play best to try fix a problem elsewhere.

I get our front row dilemma, but if AFB stays for '24 as planned, I'd rather we kept chasing (or developing) specialists than shift another backrower up front.

 

[Wheeled Warrior]

With all due respect I hope neither of those options play out. I like Ford but the other 3 are previous rep players in their respective spots. Would hate to see them shuffled from where they play best to try fix a problem elsewhere.

I get our front row dilemma, but if AFB stays for '24 as planned, I'd rather we kept chasing (or developing) specialists than shift another backrower up front.

Marata played good as bench Prop when asked to do that for Paramatta. He played well in centres too. I too love specialist rather than makeshifts but we have too many 2nd rowers at the moment we cannot field them all. Our juniors are not ready far from ready. Marata will be more useful there than the likes of Bunty and Barnett IMHO. Opposition are scared of Marata.

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Marata played good as bench Prop when asked to do that for Paramatta. He played well in centres too. I too love specialist rather than makeshifts but we have too many 2nd rowers at the moment we cannot field them all. Our juniors are not ready far from ready. Marata will be more useful there than the likes of Bunty and Barnett IMHO. Opposition are scared of Marata.

Yea I get he'd go well there, certainly more so than Bunty is doing right now. But I think he's even more valuable to us staying where he is. I think what we might gain by putting him upfront won't offset what we lose by replacing him with Ford (or whoever else) on that right edge.

 

[Philip_Smith007]

So is it offical yet?

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Not that I’ve seen. Only more reports that Brisbane won’t stand in his way.

 

[Shaun Hewitt]

Curran officially announced for the Dogs. Perhaps that's the last domino

 

[Izz]

It's official: https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2023/12/07/capewell-secured-for-three-years/

 

[Izz]

Ford has extended until 2025, too, which makes me think there's legs to the theory that Niukore will move to the front row and either Capewell or Ford will move to that edge...

 

[Thatwasnthighref]

Ford has extended until 2025, too, which makes me think there's legs to the theory that Niukore will move to the front row and either Capewell or Ford will move to that edge...

Yep it would appear so; good call by @Wheeled Warrior and others on that one.

I still think it’d be a bit of a waste of Niukore’s edge ability but Webby has been on the money so far, so fair enough.

 

[Campion]

Would Niukore have to put on 5-10kg to move to the front row? He looks a bit light for that position. Tho I wonder if this is kind of a Reuben Wiki reincarnate situation (similarly went to the front row at the Warriors and did well).

 

[Titanic]

A bonus for the Wah's and Capewell I'd say ... not a world shattering signing perhaps but certainly not a dud by any means. 'Ponies losing Capewell, Flegler and Palasia for Butcher seriously chips away at their depth.