Warriors v Knights: Kurt Capewell returns, shifts to centre as Andrew Webster names side to face Newcastle

Kurt Capewell in action against the Melbourne Storm. Photo / Photosport

Fresh from lifting the State of Origin shield with Queensland last week, Kurt Capewell returns to the Warriors’ starting side to face the Newcastle Knights on Sunday.

Capewell will make his return to the centres in Newcastle, after Rocco Berry suffered a dislocated shoulder in last weekend’s victory over the Wests Tigers.

The 32-year-old was rested for last Sunday’s win, having marked his return to the Queensland side with victories in games two and three, helping the Maroons overturn a 1-0 deficit to win this year’s series against New South Wales.

Berry’s injury, meanwhile, has been confirmed to miss between five and six weeks, as he recovers from another injury after being dogged by hamstring issues this year.

Traditionally a second-rower, Capewell has been used at centre four times out of his 14 appearances for the Warriors this season, and is unbeaten when playing in the backline.

Should coach Andrew Webster wish to keep Capewell in the second row, though, Ali Leiataua has been named on the extended interchange bench in the No 22 jersey.

The 22-year-old started the 2025 season as a first-choice centre for the Warriors, but was moved back to reserve grade earlier this year, before picking up an injury.

Leiataua made his return against the Western Suburbs Magpies last weekend, where he scored one try, created another and made eight tackles.

Elsewhere, the rest of the Warriors side is unchanged, including the interchange bench that was named against the Tigers.

Tanah Boyd has unsurprisingly been retained at halfback, having been handed the No 7 jersey after Luke Metcalf’s season was prematurely ended by an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) rupture against the Brisbane Broncos at the end of last month.

Warriors team: 1. Taine Tuaupiki, 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Kurt Capewell, 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita, 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris, 9. Wayde Egan, 10. Jackson Ford, 11. Leka Halasima, 12. Marata Niukore, 13. Erin Clark

Interchange (from): 14. Te Maire Martin, 15. Jacob Laban, 16. Demetric Vaimauga, 17. Tanner Stowers-Smith, 18. Samuel Healey, 20. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 21. Bunty Afoa, 22. Ali Leiataua, 23. Kayliss Fatialofa