OFFICIAL Kai Pearce-Paul #304

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.”

 

[hank37w]

His first season at Newcastle was great and he was running off Ponga but in the second season the coach went away from it

Part of the reason why the coach went away as well. 🤣

 

[user118245]

#304 TBC

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

‘Idol of mine’: Tigers’ legend mentor behind English recruit’s rise after epic two-try debut​

Gareth Ellis last wore a Wests Tigers jersey in 2012, but the British league legend continues to have a significant impact on the club through his mentorship of fellow Pom Kai Pearce-Paul.

Fresh from his dream debut for the Tigers last Saturday, Pearce-Paul paid tribute to Ellis, who won three Player of the Year awards during his 75-game stint at Camp Concord.

“Ever since I came out here (to Australia), even before I came to the Tigers and was at Newcastle, he reached out on Instagram and gave me his number,” says Pearce-Paul, who scored two first-half tries in Wests’ 44-16 win over the Cowboys.

“We had a few chats, and we were going to meet up over the Ashes series; we didn’t end up managing to do so.

“He was sort of an idol of mine growing up, he was so tough and is everything an Englishman wants to be and what you pride yourself on.

“You know what he was like as a player, and I highly respect him and kind of relate to him being at the Tigers now.”

Pearce-Paul, 25, says his friendship with Ellis has grown on their shared experiences of living abroad. While both men had great success in the Super League, they were unknown quantities when they arrived on Australian shores. Interestingly, London-born Pearce-Paul says most of Ellis’ advice relates to life off the field.

“He almost mentors me in a way, just making sure I am all sweet with the stuff outside of rugby, mentally and stuff,” says the former Wigan and Newcastle Knights star.

“Just making sure that I am coping by asking how I’m going… regularly checking up on me.

“I don’t have a lot of English family here, so it’s nice to talk to someone who was in a similar boat.

‘Idol of mine’: Tigers’ legend mentor behind English recruit’s rise after epic two-try debut

‘Idol of mine’: Tigers’ legend mentor behind English recruit’s rise after epic two-try debut

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Jedi_Tiger]

Tigers could win the comp and James Graham would still find something wrong with them and why the bulldogs are better.

Graham is simply not relevant

 

[happy_tiger]

Potentially our best backrow combination in a long ,long time

 

[WestsEffTheRest]

I think he’s threatened . I think all the dogs people are. I’m 💯 convinced Gould went after Galvin because he lost , the Fainus , the May brothers , luai , turuva all in a row prior to that one. Every time we went in on a player and we competed with the dogs , we came out on top , since benji has taken over.
what we are experiencing now is peak bulldogs , and the tigers are just beginning. Also I heard Willie mason the other day say we won in 05 because they had an off year . They’re the one club that has always had this weird thing around them about being the family club. Yet they have a long history of doing the grubbiest shit on and off the field , all the way back to bullfrog Moore , and terry lamb sent out to take Hanley out of the game . I hate the dogs ,always have. Watched plenty of guys get rolled when they were peak disgusting when they played out of the gws ground . Grub fans , grub club , grub players .

Terrel actually admitted that he was off to the Dogs before Gus pulled his contract to chase Papenhuyzen.

 

[mtd#2]

Terrel actually admitted that he was off to the Dogs before Gus pulled his contract to chase Papenhuyzen.

Yeah thats true, but i think the rest of lestonges post is on point though

 

[Tucker]

Potentially our best backrow combination in a long ,long time

It's long been said, without a strong back row your squad ain't shite.