“We just felt Kurt Capewell had been doing really well at club level and his actions had earnt him an opportunity to come into the team,” said Slater.
“It’s not an easy one to make but we feel it’s the best for the team... Kurt has been doing a great job in the centres for the Warriors and he is playing in a team that no matter where he plays he is doing a great job.
“They’ve got a real team first mentality at the Warriors at the minute and he is really leading that and I’m sure he is going to bring those traits into the footy team.”
A video shared to the Warriors social media pages shows Capewell was told of his inclusion after their 40-10 win over the Sharks.
Alongside Capewell, Corey Horsburgh, Jack Howarth and Ezra Mam all join the 20-man squad. Cherry-Evans and Beau Fermor have both lost their starting spots, while Jesse Arthars and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki have been axed from the extended reserves.
Cherry-Evans is the first captain to be dropped mid series in nearly 30 years.
Slater says he didn’t take the decision lightly and will name a new captain on Tuesday.
The New South Wales squad will be named later on Monday with at least one change to their team after the season ending ACL injury to Warriors co-captain Mitch Barnett.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.
