3 minute read

Queensland State of Origin pair Jaydn Su'A and Kurt Capwell have both been linked to NRL moves back to their home state next year.

Jaydn Su'A admits he's kept in touch with Kevin Walters ever since he left Brisbane and that he hopes his future "is sorted out soon" after the South Sydney backrower was linked to a Red Hill return.

Su'A debuted as a teenager in 2016 in Brisbane when current coach Walters was an assistant, before shifting to the Rabbitohs in 2019.

Now 23, Su'A has admitted it's unlikely he'll remain at Redfern next year and that Walters had been in touch.

"I had a chat with him, he's been a mentor for me for quite a while actually because he was at Brisbane when I first started," Su'A said from Queensland's Origin camp on Sunday.

"We've always kept in contact but I haven't spoken in a while so I don't know what's happening, but hopefully it's sorted out soon."

Su'A left for greater opportunity at South Sydney because of the backlog of talent building at Brisbane.

But he would return to the Broncos as their only Origin representative next year, given winger Xavier Coates is heading to Melbourne.

Origin teammate and Penrith backrower Kurt Capewell, who will play in the centres in Wednesday's series opener, has also been linked to both the Broncos and North Queensland as the Panthers face a battle to retain their host of stars.

Capewell was tight-lipped about his future but like Su'A admitted he hopes to have it finalised soon after Origin duties are complete.

The pair will bring a physicality to the Maroons' edge, Su'A confident the NRL's crackdown on high contact won't mean an end to Origin's famed toughness.

Su'A was sin-binned during Magic Round for high contact but returned in the same game to land a dominant, legal tackle that could be the blueprint on Wednesday.

"Before that Magic Round we all knew it was going to be a bit different and Wayne told me to be careful," he said.

"Then in the sheds (after he was sin-binned) he just said 'bend your back a little more and you should be sweet' and it came off.

"People are more wary, more careful, but the hits can still be a big part of the game and it's what the fans want to see.

"Origin is played on emotion so I don't think that (physicality) will be much different."