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.

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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.

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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."

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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
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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.

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"I’m really looking forward to coaching him and seeing the impact he’ll have on our squad.”
 
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colinbh said:
Do you watch the Knights game plan? Pp runs as a decoy most of the time. Some people on here really have no footy nous.
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I also see him standing there waqtching, not getting involved
I see him walking back for three tackles as his backs are bringing back a kick return, three minutes into the 2nd half.
I see him watch the ball go past him not putting any pressure on the opposition runners
I see him arm grab and as someone else succinctly mentioned...cuddling in defense, no shoulders
Do you watch col?
Not very closely it seems

His negatives aside there is plenty of positives as well
 
innsaneink said:
I also see him standing there waqtching, not getting involved
I see him walking back for three tackles as his backs are bringing back a kick return, three minutes into the 2nd half.
I see him watch the ball go past him not putting any pressure on the opposition runners
I see him arm grab and as someone else succinctly mentioned...cuddling in defense, no shoulders
Do you watch col?
Not very closely it seems

His negatives aside there is plenty of positives as well
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I must admit I’ve noticed the same things. Even with those deficiencies I think he’s value at $500k a season.

If he can drop a couple of kg and improve his fitness he could improve massively.

Up to Benji to get that out of him. Keep him away from Royce’s diet.
 
weststigerman said:
I must admit I’ve noticed the same things. Even with those deficiencies I think he’s value at $500k a season.

If he can drop a couple of kg and improve his fitness he could improve massively.

Up to Benji to get that out of him. Keep him away from Royce’s diet.
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That is what worries me the most.

We see inform:
Turuva, Skelton and Luai sign with us and we see them perform hard at the start of the year.

Royce Hunt, at the start of the year was seeming like a good buy.

Now he seems to be putting on the pounds...

When one player drops, its' them. So far Luai and Hunt have dropped form and I am looking at the coaching staff.
 
weststigerman said:
I must admit I’ve noticed the same things. Even with those deficiencies I think he’s value at $500k a season.

If he can drop a couple of kg and improve his fitness he could improve massively.

Up to Benji to get that out of him. Keep him away from Royce’s diet.
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i looked the other way and thought he might be used better , if kilo's were added
 
This is complete BS. Why would we sign a player who plays in the same position as Alex Seyfarth? Where is he going to play? We already know Seyfarth is destined to captain Australia one day. Sorry, but this signing just makes no sense to me.

I'm sure that every other Wests Tigers supporter will agree with me when I say that we will not stand for Seyfarth's position being threatened in the team. Even Liam Martin is running scared that's why he plays on the opposite side of the field.
 
jadtiger said:
Even though i am not leaping around with delight about the signing there is no doubt he will definately strenthen our forwards and be a starter each week.Hopefully we will have another forward or 2 signing up in the near future and at least 1 good back (preferably centre).
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Should go hard on Cobbo, he'd have a bad taste in his mouth right now, dropped to reserves and yet to get any feedback let alone an offer from the Broncs.
 
crazycat said:
That is what worries me the most.

We see inform:
Turuva, Skelton and Luai sign with us and we see them perform hard at the start of the year.

Royce Hunt, at the start of the year was seeming like a good buy.

Now he seems to be putting on the pounds...

When one player drops, its' them. So far Luai and Hunt have dropped form and I am looking at the coaching staff.
Click to expand...
That’s been an issue for ages. When Klemmer first got here he was great, but then he quickly dropped off half way through his first season here. Sezer was good to start the year last year and faded, jury is out on Samuela but I think he’s just playing injured.
 
crazycat said:
That is what worries me the most.

We see inform:
Turuva, Skelton and Luai sign with us and we see them perform hard at the start of the year.

Royce Hunt, at the start of the year was seeming like a good buy.

Now he seems to be putting on the pounds...

When one player drops, its' them. So far Luai and Hunt have dropped form and I am looking at the coaching staff.
Click to expand...
My theory is that the actual first graders get burnt out…a few injuries and suddenly we are playing mostly ressies v 1st graders and playing out of position.

Api was a great example last year. We are slowly adding to the cavalry.
 
crazycat said:
That is what worries me the most.

We see inform:
Turuva, Skelton and Luai sign with us and we see them perform hard at the start of the year.

Royce Hunt, at the start of the year was seeming like a good buy.

Now he seems to be putting on the pounds...

When one player drops, its' them. So far Luai and Hunt have dropped form and I am looking at the coaching staff.
Click to expand...
 
Been high on him since last year, he’ll be in talks with players like olakautu and Hudson young for the in form second rower this time next year
 
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