OFFICIAL Kai Pearce-Paul

https://www.weststigers.com.au/news...e-paul-to-join-wests-tigers-from-2026-season/
Signings

Kai Pearce-Paul to join Wests Tigers from 2026 season​

Author Wests Tigers
Timestamp Fri 6 Jun 2025, 10:35 AM

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.”

 

[Merlot]

How did he go last night ?

O'Brian and Wane (his past 2 coaches ) don't understand him -lol- average -
Looks to me like he shirks his duties at times, could be something special if the desire was there

 

[Halbrowne61]

O'Brian and Wane (his past 2 coaches ) don't understand him -lol- average -
Looks to me like he shirks his duties at times, could be something special if the desire was there

Sounds like he might need a stronger coach than Benji !
If Madge takes the England job then he could star in the next World Cup.
Or he could come out and prove us all wrong by being the new Gareth Ellis !

 

[Merlot]

Sounds like he might need a stronger coach than Benji !
If Madge takes the England job then he could star in the next World Cup.
Or he could come out and prove us all wrong by being the new Gareth Ellis !

actually think Benji will unlock him, more of a ball playing pretty boy ,than getting dirty in the trenches

 

[Halbrowne61]

actually think Benji will unlock him, more of a ball playing pretty boy ,than getting dirty in the trenches

Hope you’re right M.

 

[Tigerwould]

he defended well, like Newcastle they just do not use him at all..they ran everything on the opposite side. hopefully Benji does the opposite to what england and knights do and actually use him.

He will be needed in defence on our right side because the opposition always attacks our right side. Not sure how our attack will look in 2026. But we were going to May a lot on the left side at the back half of this season

 

[Tucker]

This guy has a knack of playing in teams with no attacking ability. Hopefully we can finally unlock him, otherwise it's the "Luke Brooks unleashed" meme again. Matty Johns said that he was a weapon in super league so let's see.

Matty Johns says Galvin is elite already as well.
He over exaggerates.
KPP was pretty quiet in game 3. Ordinary.

 

[jadtiger]

Sounds like he might need a stronger coach than Benji !
If Madge takes the England job then he could star in the next World Cup.
Or he could come out and prove us all wrong by being the new Gareth Ellis !

Gareth Ellis was one of the best forwards on the field when he played against Australia before he came to the tigers just on a beaten side. However you certainly can't say the same for KPP, he has not ben bad but he has little impact.

 

[hank37w]

Best part he didnt get injured for next year

Apart from being crucified by some on this forum.

Let's give the guy a chance over here first, then we can crucify him. 🤣

 

[Red88_Tiger]

Gareth Ellis was one of the best forwards on the field when he played against Australia before he came to the tigers just on a beaten side. However you certainly can't say the same for KPP, he has not ben bad but he has little impact.

Think I heard Tim sheen’s say at one point that he would make the Australian side
Think it was when he re signed with us but not sure

 

[Halbrowne61]

Gareth Ellis was one of the best forwards on the field when he played against Australia before he came to the tigers just on a beaten side. However you certainly can't say the same for KPP, he has not ben bad but he has little impact.

No J but I’m an optimist ! What I should have said is I really want him to be another Gareth Ellis !

 

[Bus 2 Terrigal]

Remember all the excitement when we nabbed Isaiah Papali’i.

How well is he playing these days 👍

​

 

[Buttface]

Remember all the excitement when we nabbed Isaiah Papali’i.

How well is he playing these days 👍

​

I remember on the way out he said something like he didn’t really play as well as he could have here. The bloke was half hearted and cashing in. But I reckon a lot of it had to do with him signing a year out and then the eels dicided they wanted him and tried to get him to reneg for the next 12 months. Then we sacked the coach who signed him, and he did then try reneg but we held him to it so he came here kicking stones. This signing a year out BS has to stop, it is way to easily rorted. I bet Isuk Measles loves it.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Gareth Ellis was one of the best forwards on the field when he played against Australia before he came to the tigers just on a beaten side. However you certainly can't say the same for KPP, he has not ben bad but he has little impact.

I remember that tackle he made on the big Manly prop at Gosford. At the minimum, the prop was so shaken by the force that he was a non-participant for the remainder of the match. Years ago I read from one of his teammates that he is one of the nicest blokes off field, but once he began preparing for the game his demeanor and intent changed. He is one former player I'd like WTs to invest in bringing to our coaching team. Wasn't he recommended to the club by Mark O'Neill?

 

[innsaneink]

Wasn't he recommended to the club by Mark O'Neill?

Pretty sure from memory thats correct