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FIFA World Cup 2026 poster'The body was still hurting': Capewell lifts lid on Origin grind
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • June 1st, 2026 4:32 pm
Kurt Capwell | Photo: Photosport
Warriors and Queensland second-rower Kurt Capewell says State of Origin is a level above regular NRL matches in both speed and physicality, making recovery far more difficult.
“Obviously we backed up in Canberra (in 2025) and I just remember being too sore to get a massage, and that was on game day,” Capewell told Sport Nation on Monday.
“Once the adrenaline kicks in, it helps a little, but the body was still hurting.”
Kurt Capewell in State of Origin 1 | Photo: NRL Photos
He said State of Origin is not easy, with a faster pace, higher ball-in-play time than regular games, and a level of physicality the contest is known for.
“It feels like it doesn’t stop, and when you finally look up at the clock, not much time has passed. You just put your head down and keep working.”
In his 14th appearance for the Maroons on Wednesday, Capewell also suffered a head cut that required extensive bandaging.
Maroons react after conceding a late try during Game 1 of the State of Origin | Photo: Photosport
“There was a fair bit of claret coming out of me. It’s about five or six inches, so it seems to be healing well, but it’s in a spot where it could reopen.”
Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett was the only other Warriors player involved in the opening Origin match, representing New South Wales.
Both Barnett and Capewell backed up for the Warriors just days after Origin in 2025, although Barnett unfortunately suffered a season-ending ACL injury.
Mitch Barnett gets tackled | Photo: Photosport
But in 2026 coach Andrew Webster decided to rest the pair - saying it would be stupid to let them play and risk other injuries, especially when they have had limited game time this season.
Panthers stars Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Brian To’o were also rested for Sunday’s clash, however Casey McLean, who scored two tries against the Warriors, was able to back up after playing 23 minutes in his Origin debut.
Listen to the full interview below:
