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.”

 

[upthetigers]

Hopefully he’s more professional than the plodder Leo Thompson, was very high on him before signing for dogs but his form has been atrocious

One of the most overrated players in the comp

 

[Tiger_Yoshi]

The Knights when they use KPP often get him on the 3rd or 4th to hitup in the 40-30mtr zone then go left for some reason. I have never understood the Knights attack this season with or without Ponga.

Neither have they

 

[pawsandclaws1]

How did he go last night, considering, anyone see the game?

He must be dying to get out of the Knights and looking forward to playing with a 'happening' club.

Knights rarely had the ball and when they did, KPP doesn't see it. He defended extremely well and made a covering tackle on Jenkins to save a try. He made one on one tackles on To'o and Mclean on the try line plus put a big hit on one of the Panther forwards. He was nearly always first man in on the tackle and made quite a few one on one tackles. Overall it was a very good display.

 

[mtd#2]

One of the most overrated players in the comp

FUnnily enough, he'll be joining one of the other most over rated players in the comp next season.

 

[user118245]

One of the most overrated players in the comp

That run he went on last year or the year before tho was intriguing tho

 

[tig_prmz]

FUnnily enough, he'll be joining one of the other most over rated players in the comp next season.

However, I feel the two things Dogs have lacked this year was creativity and agression. The overrated players bring that

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Hopefully he’s more professional than the plodder Leo Thompson, was very high on him before signing for dogs but his form has been atrocious

I think him and to a lesser extent KPP are suffering from I can't wait to get out of the F place itis.
We have seen how effort drops here when things look hopeless well now the Knights have a healthy dose of that dread you only have to look at their last game.

Thank F we are looking past those dark days hopefully for years.

 

[weststigers]

I think him and to a lesser extent KPP are suffering from I can't wait to get out of the F place itis.
We have seen how effort drops here when things look hopeless well now the Knights have a healthy dose of that dread you only have to look at their last game.

Thank F we are looking past those dark days hopefully for years.

Agree, but we need to make 2026 a winner. Good to see some progress, but if we don't make the 8 next year, we will see some players check out.

2026 is a sliding doors year for this team and club.

 

[innsaneink]

That run he went on last year or the year before tho was intriguing tho

Fun run, marathon or cross country?

 

[Rock Hopper Steve]

Agree, but we need to make 2026 a winner. Good to see some progress, but if we don't make the 8 next year, we will see some players check out.

2026 is a sliding doors year for this team and club.

That's right mate and the latest inclusions of the 2RF's is a good move, all we need now up the middle is an established rhino and a young improving bull and I think we will be cooking with gas.

 

[bptiger 0]

Can't wait for him to get here. Don't really care if he's not a strike edge forward. The fact he can defend well, has a good work rate and can go 80 minutes every week is already a huge upgrade on what we have.

I hope u haven’t gone off early on KPP , yes he does look good but we really haven’t seen much of him in attack , as the knights never used the bloke , ONE thing that I noticed was he doesn’t get back into the defence line all that quick , not sure if hes lazy or he just wasn’t happy at the knights , we will find out next year

 

[bptiger 0]

Agree, but we need to make 2026 a winner. Good to see some progress, but if we don't make the 8 next year, we will see some players check out.

2026 is a sliding doors year for this team and club.

U have hit the nail on the head , but I wonder why we got Geyer and Roberts in , when we need a genuine lock and another backrower , I know they would both be cheap , but surely we could have got a experienced lock For the price of them two , or a bit more money , HOPE we are still in the market for a lock, backrower

 

[weststigers]

U have hit the nail on the head , but I wonder why we got Geyer and Roberts in , when we need a genuine lock and another backrower , I know they would both be cheap , but surely we could have got a experienced lock For the price of them two , or a bit more money , HOPE we are still in the market for a lock, backrower

I think we have some stashed away for a bigger fish. These guys are clearly depth which we seriously lacked this year.

I also think it's a fill in until the juniors are ready to step up (Godinet etc.). I mean Geyer only signed for a year, so it looks like a try before you buy type contract.

Given the injury toll at some other clubs, we've been very lucky in that area, but 2nd row didn't leave us much to choose from when Samuela has been ruled out.

 

[TheEnz]

I think we have some stashed away for a bigger fish. These guys are clearly depth which we seriously lacked this year.

I also think it's a fill in until the juniors are ready to step up (Godinet etc.). I mean Geyer only signed for a year, so it looks like a try before you buy type contract.

Given the injury toll at some other clubs, we've been very lucky in that area, but 2nd row didn't leave us much to choose from when Samuela has been ruled out.

Even when Samuela was healthy we were still short one first grade 2RF, hopefully KPP can be that guy and Geyer/Sukkar/Roberts can be depth.

 

[pawsandclaws1]

Even when Samuela was healthy we were still short one first grade 2RF, hopefully KPP can be that guy and Geyer/Sukkar/Roberts can be depth.

KPP is a good player who will improve our run on 13. I hope Richardson is scouring ESL for more players as there are some quality UK players who have made the NRL.