OFFICIAL Kai Pearce-Paul

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news...e-paul-to-join-wests-tigers-from-2026-season/
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Kai Pearce-Paul to join Wests Tigers from 2026 season​

AuthorWests TigersTimestampFri 6 Jun 2025, 10:35 AM

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Wests Tigers are pleased to announce that Kai Pearce-Paul will join the club ahead of the 2026 season on a three-year deal.

The English international edge forward has played 32 NRL games for the Knights since joining Newcastle for the 2024 season and previously played 61 games for Wigan from 2020-23.


A Super League Grand Final winner in 2023, the towering forward stands at 6’6” and weighs 108 kg.

Pearce-Paul has impressed since making the move to Australia, with the 24-year-old possessing an imposing frame and skilful offloading ability.

His performances for the English national side include appearances at the 2022 World Cup and their successful Test series against Samoa in 2024.

Kai is delighted to commit his future to Wests Tigers.

"I am excited to join the Wests Tigers in 2026. It is a fantastic opportunity, and I cannot wait," said Pearce-Paul.

"I grew up watching Benji and have always looked up to him, so being coached by him will be pretty special."

Pearce-Paul has averaged 118 running metres and 40 tackles per match in 2025.

Wests Tigers CEO Shane Richardson was pleased to secure the back-rower’s services.

"Kai is a rising talent and already an international player with England. He’s also a quality person from a great family," said Richardson.

At just 24, he brings professionalism and talent, and we see him as an important part of our future.

Shane RichardsonWests Tigers CEO

Head Coach Benji Marshall believes Pearce-Paul will prove a great addition to the squad.

"Kai is a powerful, mobile forward who really suits what we’re building here," said Marshall.

"He’s not only a great athlete but also a great person, and he’ll bring strong qualities to our team.

"I’m really looking forward to coaching him and seeing the impact he’ll have on our squad.”

 

[426Tlgerland]

KPP
Guy can defend .
Very strong in the wrestle
Hard to pull down due to height and strength .
Knights never used him as a damaging running back rower , we will use him the same way we use Sam F , one on left one on right and it’s gonna be very good , We just need a mobile lock , AD could do this roll but at this stage he is our best half , so maybe Nathan Brown or Sione ,
KPP. Will be our best buy for 26 by a long way

 

[tigahhh]

i think they will tone him down for a bit more agility and speed like he had in the super league

 

[Mighty_Tiger]

i think they will tone him down for a bit more agility and speed like he had in the super league

Be interesting how we plan to use KPP in attack.

Richo roasted the right edge defensively at awards night and then said KPP was brought in to help fix that mixed with his attacking presence. He seemed really excited about him coming & has high expectations.

We just need to manage his workload more effectively & leverage his strengths in attack.

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Richo roasted the right edge defensively at awards night and then said KPP was brought in to help fix that mixed with his attacking presence. He seemed really excited about him coming & has high expectations.

That means he indirectly insulted Alex Seyfarth. I had faith in Richo but I think he lost me there. Time to get a new CEO. We can't have a guy in the top job who thinks it's okay to criticise our best player. Who does he think he is? Now Alex might be having doubts over his ability. Just pure belony.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

That means he indirectly insulted Alex Seyfarth. I had faith in Richo but I think he lost me there. Time to get a new CEO. We can't have a guy in the top job who thinks it's okay to criticise our best player. Who does he think he is? Now Alex might be having doubts over his ability. Just pure belony.

If we pick up another pig to add to what we already have Alex, I'm sorry mate but your hero may play zero 1st grade games next season barring too many injuries, devastating I know 😁.

 

[tigahhh]

That means he indirectly insulted Alex Seyfarth. I had faith in Richo but I think he lost me there. Time to get a new CEO. We can't have a guy in the top job who thinks it's okay to criticise our best player. Who does he think he is? Now Alex might be having doubts over his ability. Just pure belony.

completely agree richo will be hearing from the AS fan club 😡

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

completely agree richo will be hearing from the AS fan club 😡

I might buy a membership this year just so I can have the privilege of emailing our overlord.

 

[Tucker]

His workload this season was one of the highest for backrowers in the comp.

If that’s true then his effectiveness is the problem. That’s even more worrying.

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

If that’s true then his effectiveness is the problem. That’s even more worrying.

New club new enthusiasm Tuck don't think there's anything to be concerned about, what do you think of Bunty signing.

 

[Tucker]

New club new enthusiasm Tuck don't think there's anything to be concerned about, what do you think of Bunty signing.

Not sure. Haven’t seen him play for a fair while.
I was saying we needed first graders to push the Alex’s down the list. Not real sure if Afoa fits that bill.
Hold judgement until I’ve seen how he goes these days I suppose.

 

[crazycat]

That means he indirectly insulted Alex Seyfarth. I had faith in Richo but I think he lost me there. Time to get a new CEO. We can't have a guy in the top job who thinks it's okay to criticise our best player. Who does he think he is? Now Alex might be having doubts over his ability. Just pure belony.

Yea ah: "We can't have a guy in the top job who thinks it's okay to criticise our best player"...

Lets not cause drama where we don't have too.
He said our right edge "Richo roasted the right edge defensively at awards night "

Were 13th.
I did not expect us to make the 8, but we should have done better. Defense is a team effort and the entire team deserves a roasting.

Tough titties guys!

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Not sure. Haven’t seen him play for a fair while.
I was saying we needed first graders to push the Alex’s down the list. Not real sure if Afoa fits that bill.
Hold judgement until I’ve seen how he goes these days I suppose.

There wasn't much to go after to be fair very slim pickings, from what I've seen in the past of him it could work we needed someone in the pigs and he's a big dude, hoping too that he impresses us.

 

[Tim Sheens]

KPP will bring stability to our right edge, particularly defensively. Anything else is a bonus, though I expect him to bring plenty across the board.

 

[Tucker]

There wasn't much to go after to be fair very slim pickings, from what I've seen in the past of him it could work we needed someone in the pigs and he's a big dude, hoping too that he impresses us.

The problem is we need better than what we have currently got.
A couple of years ago he would have fit the bill for sure.

 

[Buttface]

Be interesting how we plan to use KPP in attack.

Richo roasted the right edge defensively at awards night and then said KPP was brought in to help fix that mixed with his attacking presence. He seemed really excited about him coming & has high expectations.

We just need to manage his workload more effectively & leverage his strengths in attack.

Any idea what posi AD will be training for over the offseason?

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

The problem is we need better than what we have currently got.
A couple of years ago he would have fit the bill for sure.

Still there will be more competition for spots now, it will be step up to the plate our be dropped if reserve graders are pushing to be picked.

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

That means he indirectly insulted Alex Seyfarth. I had faith in Richo but I think he lost me there. Time to get a new CEO. We can't have a guy in the top job who thinks it's okay to criticise our best player. Who does he think he is? Now Alex might be having doubts over his ability. Just pure belony.

Cant believe this . Was absolutely gobsmackled Alex didn’t pick up Kelly Barnes award and players player. Surely rigged . And then this insult to top it off. If I was Alex I would ask for an immediate release particularly given we all know broncos , storm and panthers are all after him

 

[innsaneink]

Yea ah: "We can't have a guy in the top job who thinks it's okay to criticise our best player"...

Lets not cause drama where we don't have too.
He said our right edge "Richo roasted the right edge defensively at awards night "

Were 13th.
I did not expect us to make the 8, but we should have done better. Defense is a team effort and the entire team deserves a roasting.

Tough titties guys!

Got a good one AS#1

 

[Alex Seyfarth's #1 Fan]

Cant believe this . Was absolutely gobsmackled Alex didn’t pick up Kelly Barnes award and players player. Surely rigged . And then this insult to top it off. If I was Alex I would ask for an immediate release particularly given we all know broncos , storm and panthers are all after him

Finally someone speaking some sense on this forum.

 

[watersider]

I think people expecting huge improvement simply for coming here are falling into a trap in the way we tend to overhype new signings. KPP is a solid player and is an upgrade based on his play last year. He's probably in that Shawn blore type player at the moment in being solid but not really bringing much more. I'd love to see him be more aggressive in both attack and defense. But you don't really see those traits change in players and I'm instead just expecting the solid unspectacular play he gave this season. I'd still be looking around for better if a player became available. But he's a decent signing.