New addition Kurt Capewell has already impressed after his move to NZ Warriors, fresh from sealing his switch from Brisbane Broncos.
In an off-season recruitment coup, the Warriors have secured the signature of 30-year-old Capewell on a three-year deal, as coach Andrew Webster's influence saw the State of Origin representative trade Brisbane for Auckland.
Capewell was under contract for another season with Brisbane Broncos, but was granted an early release to move to the Warriors, and reunited with Webster after the pair worked together at Penrith Panthers.
While the Warriors had already signed Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Chanel Harris-Tavita for 2024 and beyond, the club have arguably saved the best for last in their capture of Capewell.
With nine State of Origins for Queensland, the second rower has been one of the most eye-catching forwards in the NRL during his spells with Brisbane and Penrith.
In the past, the Warriors have struggled to sign and retain Australian talent, with players and coaches alike not wanting to live in New Zealand. Capewell is different, though.
Not since 2017 have the Warriors had an Origin player on their books, with Jacob Lillyman the last to represent his state while based in Auckland.
And having played such a huge role in bringing Capewell to the club, Webster made no secret of what he'll bring in his time as a Warrior.
"Kurt is our effort player," Webster explained. "He will do all the little things people won't understand or know.
"He'll help our young players come through, like Demetric [Sifakula] and Jacob Laban. He'll do a great job with our young back rowers. When his time's done, I'm sure the baton will be handed over to them in great form.
"He's got a great motor. He could play 80 minutes, easy. He could play left side, right side. Even if there was an injury halfway in the game, he could play a bit of centre.
"But he's super smart too about the game, he understands it really well. He's not the big, powerful run over the top [type] of player, but he can probably outsmart, and because his motor's so good, when they're tired he can start beating them.
"He's excellent."
Capewell's arrival also gives the Warriors a solution to one of the biggest headaches club management faces this season.
With no resolution in sight to the Addin Fonua-Blake saga, as the prop seeks a release from the final years of his contract, Capewell could allow the Warriors flexibility to fix the problem internally.
At present, the Warriors reportedly want a player in exchange for Fonua-Blake to join a Sydney-based suitor. However, no game-breaking front rowers of Fonua-Blake's ilk are immediately available.
While Capewell has effectively filled the hole vacated by Bulldogs-bound Josh Curran on the Warriors' roster, his arrival could free up Marata Niukore to move into the front row, where he spent time while playing for Parramatta Eels.
Webster isn't entirely wedded to that idea, preferring to see Niukore remain in the second row, but the ability of players to play more than one position will be key if the Warriors are to repeat their feats of 2023.
"Marata was so damaging on the edge, we don't want to throw that out of the water completely and say that won't be happening," he said.
"He made some halfbacks' nightmares last year, so that's pretty cool. But it gives us some flexibility with Marata, like he did at Parramatta, to play front row. He was a world-class player when he did that.
"It just gives us options. When they play 80 minutes, back rowers, it's pretty pleasing."
Fonua-Blake is under contract until 2026, but his signature is understood to be sought by Canterbury Bulldogs, St George Illawarra Dragons and Cronulla Sharks.
Wests Tigers reportedly made a formal offer to the 28-year-old, but have since withdrawn it to pursue Penrith Panthers five-eighth Jarome Luai instead.
