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Blackcaps LIVE: Sport Nation ExtraWarriors’ run home taking shape as Capewell re-signs
Savannah Lendich Jonkers • July 16th, 2026 4:09 pm
Kurt Capewell | Photo: Photosport
The Warriors’ premiership mission is quickly becoming more than a theory as key players have returned from injury with others re-signing, building momentum within the side.
Second-rower Kurt Capewell is the latest to extend, re-signing until the end of 2027 and cementing his fourth year with the club.
The veteran, who originally joined the Warriors from the Brisbane Broncos, is set to make his 47th appearance for the club at Mt Smart Stadium against the Dragons this weekend, following a strong individual showing for Queensland throughout the State of Origin period.
Kurt Capewell | Photo: Photosport
Former Warrior Monty Betham told Sport Nation Mornings Capewell’s extension makes sense in a squad where leadership has been tested in recent weeks.
“Kurt Capewell probably gets an extra year extension because of people that are moving and the moving pieces in and around the mix. He is deserving of that. I will say that, and he's been outstanding for Queensland.”
The Warriors have continued to lock down key pieces of their roster, with Tanah Boyd and Erin Clark re-signing until the end of 2029, Taine Tuaupiki and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak through to 2028, and Te Maire Martin and Chanel Harris-Tavita until the end of 2027.
Will Warbrick will also arrive from Melbourne next season, with Grant Anderson joining from the Broncos.
Meanwhile, Mitch Barnett, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Marata Niukore, Luke Metcalf, Morgan Gannon and Luke Hanson are among the club’s confirmed 2027 departures.
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With the return of James Fisher-Harris from a calf injury, Betham can see the impact elite experience can have at this stage of the season.
“To have Fish come back last week, he was tremendous, in absolute form at the moment and the way he played just set the tone, led the way and has just been inspirational.
“Probably career-best form from a guy who won four premierships back-to-back-to-back-to-back and also one of the best players in the Kiwis, he's a fine player.”
James Fisher-Harris | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
With several leaders coming back in at the right time, Betham sees the squad regaining their force and believing they can and finish with the strong form that they started the season.
“To have some strike come back into the side with Leka Halasima with Alofiana Khan-Pereira, because I've said it for a very long time, yes, resilience is one good thing and you grind teams down, but the further you go on in the season, that you need that star power, you need the x-factor that can just break tackles in those hard games in the back end of the year.”
Betham also pointed to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, whose new deal through 2028 gives the Warriors another proven finisher and tough yardage carrier locked into their future plans.
“Dallin Watene-Zelezniak on the wing, I think it's underestimated what he does to start the sets off at times, to get up there to hit the advantage line and to say ‘is it me or you let's go’.
"The way he wakes up the next morning surely he's pretty sore from most occasions.”
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
Betham urges the strategy for the Warriors to win the premiership is simple, yet critical.
“It's imperative that they stay in second place. Top four, if they can't make the top two, but you've got two bites of a cherry at home, which would be exceptional.
"That means you get the best possible chance of playing the less games, save the energy to have that run home.
“We've probably got the best run home out of all the teams in the competition,” Betham claimed.
“You just got to keep winning and then those teams that play each other in and around, hope they just go up against it. They play so hard that they just leave nothing in the tank for the following weekend and we just keep getting the results.”
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Listen to the full interview below:
