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.”

 

[Merlot]

The one thing we need to remember

He isn't going to have 8 line breaks ....5 try assists ......2 tries ......300 metres .....60 tackles with no misses every week

Keep the expectations realistic and if he isn't the next Paul Sironen .....Ellery Hanley and Bob Lindner combined after 3 rounds don't lose your shit

Is that fair ??

Ok ??

the mention of Bob Lindner made me weak at the knees , lol Dizzy Gillespi

 

[Lestronge]

First I think.

It’s one of those “it sounds right” but it’s actually wrong . I think it’s the first one as well

 

[innsaneink]

The one thing we need to remember

He isn't going to have 8 line breaks ....5 try assists ......2 tries ......300 metres .....60 tackles with no misses every week

Keep the expectations realistic and if he isn't the next Paul Sironen .....Ellery Hanley and Bob Lindner combined after 3 rounds don't lose your shit

Is that fair ??

Ok ??

Can we get more than 2 runs in a half and the last two in the final set?

 

[Odessa]

the mention of Bob Lindner made me weak at the knees , lol Dizzy Gillespi

Wow what a player and very nice man I ran into him one day at Campbelltown mall in the food court he gave me a few minutes of his day to chat football

 

[Odessa]

I wonder if it was a hard sell after the Galvin B/S

 

[Merlot]

Wow what a player and very nice man I ran into him one day at Campbelltown mall in the food court he gave me a few minutes of his day to chat football

who David or Bob

 

[BAGNF05]

I wonder if it was a hard sell after the Galvin B/S

I think Galvin will have a successful career but from our perspective we have a halves leader who’s won four comps and origins and two other young 6’s with plenty of upside.

It’s not as catastrophic for WT as some would have you believe.

 

[Merlot]

I think Galvin will have a successful career but from our perspective we have a halves leader who’s won four comps and origins and two other young 6’s with plenty of upside.

It’s not as catastrophic for WT as some would have you believe.

where do you sit on the KPP reitcher scale

 

[BAGNF05]

where do you sit on the KPP reitcher scale

Didn’t like him at 700, happy if we scored him for 500ish

Best game I’ve seen from him last night, maybe a relief to be moving on.

 

[Merlot]

Didn’t like him at 700, happy if we scored him for 500ish

Best game I’ve seen from him last night, maybe a relief to be moving on.

money was appropriate,terms ,mmmhhh

 

[Moh]

I think Galvin will have a successful career but from our perspective we have a halves leader who’s won four comps and origins and two other young 6’s with plenty of upside.

It’s not as catastrophic for WT as some would have you believe.

Honestly it really isn't.

Latu, and even Heath, are really not much of a downgrade - or a downgrade at all.

Not to say Galvin doesn't have the potential to have a great career - I reckon he will (in the forwards), but as he is currently... no big loss. Biggest media beat up.

 

[BAGNF05]

money was appropriate,terms ,mmmhhh

Who knows what to believe with that stuff. Either way he is a strapping lad in a position we lack. Good luck to him.

 

[BAGNF05]

Honestly it really isn't.

Latu, and even Heath, are really not much of a downgrade - or a downgrade at all.

Not to say Galvin doesn't have the potential to have a great career - I reckon he will (in the forwards), but as he is currently... no big loss. Biggest media beat up.

The latest Matty Johns promo on Fox was embarrassing. I remain pretty disgusted in his minders who have put so much unnecessary pressure on the kid.

 

[TSP]

the mention of Bob Lindner made me weak at the knees , lol Dizzy Gillespi

Cement!

 

[happy_tiger]

Can we get more than 2 runs in a half and the last two in the final set?

Can't make any promises Ink

He did say he loved a decoy run or two though

 

[Moh]

The latest Matty Johns promo on Fox was embarrassing. I remain pretty disgusted in his minders who have put so much unnecessary pressure on the kid.

Man I was confused watching that... I actually like and respect Matty Johns' opinions on the game, that really shocked me. Other than being put up to it, have no idea what purpose that served.

Say it all the time, but absolutely WILD how much attention this kid is getting - and how much less the much better kids who have broke out this season across the NRL, can't recall the names, but there are 2-3 way ahead of Galvin that don't get any media.

 

[weststigerman]

The one thing we need to remember

He isn't going to have 8 line breaks ....5 try assists ......2 tries ......300 metres .....60 tackles with no misses every week

Keep the expectations realistic and if he isn't the next Paul Sironen .....Ellery Hanley and Bob Lindner combined after 3 rounds don't lose your shit

Is that fair ??

Ok ??

Nah he’s Wayne Pearce and Paul Sironen rolled into one!

 

[happy_tiger]

Nah he’s Wayne Pearce and Paul Sironen rolled into one!

Why only be Pearce when you can be Ellery and Lindner combined ......

 

[colinbh]

Can we get more than 2 runs in a half and the last two in the final set?

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.

 

[BirchgroveTigers]

Good signing. Already a decent first grader with potential to improve. At 24, we've signed him for what should be his best years too. If reports of 500ishk is true, good value as well which is a nice change!