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.”

 

[426Tlgerland]

His talent was obvious to anyone that looked and just needed to be unlocked, as Newcastle found out yesterday.

Spot on , Benji has u locked him and it is great to watch , he can defend well , attack well and put in 101% every game , Newcastle had no idea what they had , we know what we got , best buy for 2026 by a mile

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

He had a great game his chase on the kicks was amazing

He was up for it especially against his old club

 

[Tim Sheens]

Spot on , Benji has u locked him and it is great to watch , he can defend well , attack well and put in 101% every game , Newcastle had no idea what they had , we know what we got , best buy for 2026 by a mile

I haven't even watched more than several minutes of highlights as I was flying and then in long Bangkok songkran immigration lines during yesterday's match, so I look forward to catching the 80 minutes shortly.

 

[2041]

Great to have signed two edge back rowers who are actual footballers rather than props who happen to be a bit quicker. Papali'i is obviously a good player but his strength as a back rower was as a hole runner - something we were incapable of setting when he was in the team, hence he became not much of anything on the edge. Samuela and KPP are both proper ball runners and offloaders - they're causing absolute chaos the way the game's being played this season.

 

[TigerVinnie]

All class - early days but this has Gareth Ellis impact written all over it.

 

[bptiger 0]

That's a pity because I think the best set of halves, for overall function of the team, is Madden and Luai. Maybe Douehi should be moved to 13. No positions should be set in concrete. Team needs evolve over time.

How the hell can u move twal , he has been one of our best

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

To all the doubters who thought it would be a bad idea to sign KPP give yourselves an uppercut lol.

Just knew this guy had the right stuff, as good as the whole team has been going, he's one of the standouts, absolute gun 2nd rower.

 

[426Tlgerland]

I haven't even watched more than several minutes of highlights as I was flying and then in long Bangkok songkran immigration lines during yesterday's match, so I look forward to catching the 80 minutes shortly.

Love Thailand , enjoy your time in the kingdom , plenty good food and things to do / visit

 

[bbobb]

Super impressed with KPP. Playing to his strengths and you can see how he has grown in confidence from last year. Offloading, running great lines and crunches people in defence. Well done to Benji for recognising his talent.

 

[bptiger 0]

Super impressed with KPP. Playing to his strengths and you can see how he has grown in confidence from last year. Offloading, running great lines and crunches people in defence. Well done to Benji for recognising his talent.

The knights must to feeling very sick , with the way KPP is preforming, they never gave him the ball , and only used him as a decoy, bet he was really happy when the tigers came knocking

 

[stevied]

How the hell can u move twal , he has been one of our best

First of all, he is still on rhe field and can do most of the same things. Secondly, if you care to check my suggested team v Broncos, I've listed Douehi to partner Tiny in the centres so that Madden can stay in the team. Only my thoughts. Benji will probably relegate Jock to 14 to keep Luai and Douehi at 6 and 7.

 

[Dennisspicer1]

Yeah, Maka and LL are clearly a problem. Luai and Tiny will help. So will moving Maka to the wing and someone else, maybe Douehi, to centre, looking ahead.

Douehi is killing it from the 7 spot,
Why is everyone intent on seeing him in the centre or wing.

 

[Adam Doobie]

The knights must to feeling very sick , with the way KPP is preforming, they never gave him the ball , and only used him as a decoy, bet he was really happy when the tigers came knocking

By all reports he came here for either less or similar money. So yeah I imagine they are spewing.

 

[stevied]

Douehi is killing it from the 7 spot,
Why is everyone intent on seeing him in the centre or wing.

I agree, Douehi is in great form but not necessarily because he has the number 7 on his back. He is actually playing as a sort of hybrid 6/ lock/ centre and not as an organising halfback. Part of the reason his running game has been so good in the last 3 games is because of the service received from Madden. But that's the whole point, Adam is primarily a runner and Madden is an organising half who has helped the team look much more fluent in attack. Luai has to come back into 6 which is why many people suggest Douehi go to 3, where he has room to run and can be given service by two genuine halves. No one ever suggested he go to the wing. That would be ridiculous!

 

[Viva_Zapata]

I agree, Douehi is in great form but not necessarily because he has the number 7 on his back. He is actually playing as a sort of hybrid 6/ lock/ centre and not as an organising halfback. Part of the reason his running game has been so good in the last 3 games is because of the service received from Madden. But that's the whole point, Adam is primarily a runner and Madden is an organising half who has helped the team look much more fluent in attack. Luai has to come back into 6 which is why many people suggest Douehi go to 3, where he has room to run and can be given service by two genuine halves. No one ever suggested he go to the wing. That would be ridiculous!

Douhi to centre with a roving commision could be deadly.

 

[Fish88]

I had an argument with The Mole on Facebook at the start of the year because he believed Alex Seyfarth should have the running ahead of KPP and KPP should start from the bench round 1 hahahahah no way I was copping that!

 

[stevied]

I had an argument with The Mole on Facebook at the start of the year because he believed Alex Seyfarth should have the running ahead of KPP and KPP should start from the bench round 1 hahahahah no way I was copping that!

Well, the Mole had no idea. Clearly, KPP is blessed with a fair degree of natural talent whereas Seyfarth is mainly commended for his effort.

 

[Yossarian]

He’s a huge body. He was warming up close to the pleb member section yesterday. Massive.

 

[stevied]

He’s a huge body. He was warming up close to the pleb member section yesterday. Massive.

That's a 'big' headstart when you're "massive" and mobile.

 

[Tiger_Fanatic3]

I am so glad Benji got this guy to the club, happy days