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.”

 

[watersider]

Forwards who actually improved coming to us... Luciano, marty tapau, Ryan Matterson, Keith Galloway. Anyone else? Most either go backwards or stay at their level.

 

[Milky]

If we pick up another pig to add to what we already have Alex, I'm sorry mate but your hero may play zero 1st grade games next season barring too many injuries, devastating I know 😁.

I reckon if he puts on 5-6kg of muscle over the off season and controls his aggression he could be A gun impact prop

Bunty and Seyfarth off the bench for May and Pole could be dynamite

It just depends on how badly they all want it

Potential is there, that’s for sure

KPP and Samuela both play 80 minutes, meaning if there are injuries Seyfarth could slot to backrow

We could carry 3 props on the bench in the circumstances

 

[king_sirro]

I reckon if he puts on 5-6kg of muscle over the off season and controls his aggression he could be A gun impact prop

Bunty and Seyfarth off the bench for May and Pole could be dynamite

It just depends on how badly they all want it

Potential is there, that’s for sure

KPP and Samuela both play 80 minutes, meaning if there are injuries Seyfarth could slot to backrow

We could carry 3 props on the bench in the circumstances

Sione is better than all of them. We leaving him out for Bunty, Seyfarth and Pole?

 

[tigahhh]

Forwards who actually improved coming to us... Luciano, marty tapau, Ryan Matterson, Keith Galloway. Anyone else? Most either go backwards or stay at their level.

may? lol Sione? Samuela?

 

[Tucker]

Sione is better than all of them. We leaving him out for Bunty, Seyfarth and Pole?

Agreed, we need to pour resources into him. He is a genuine threat in attack and looks strong as hell.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

may? lol Sione? Samuela?

What are we basing the improvement from the Fainu’s on? Sam only played 5 games for Manly, a rookie. And Sione debuted here.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Forwards who actually improved coming to us... Luciano, marty tapau, Ryan Matterson, Keith Galloway. Anyone else? Most either go backwards or stay at their level.

The only genuine one was Taupau. Matterson was class at the Roosters. Luc, maybe. Galloway actually took 2 or 3 years to find his feet. I don’t think his improvement wasn’t down to the club, he just matured into a really good prop as he got older.

 

[GCfan]

I’m hoping that the KPP signing is the first part of fixing our defensive issues on our right edge. If this signing leads to a reduction in points conceded per game I think it helps us immensely.
As many have already said,
If he brings additional attacking threat that’s a bonus.

 

[Milky]

Sione is better than all of them. We leaving him out for Bunty, Seyfarth and Pole?

No

8. Fonua Pole
9. Api Korisau
10. Terell May
11. Samuela Fainu
12. KPP
13. Nathan Brown (until we get someone better)

14. Latu Fainu
15. Bunty Afoa
16. Alex Seyfarth
17. Sione Fainu

 

[Tigerwould]

KPP improves the side a lot. It’s great to now have 2 second rowers that can play 80mins. Sione is going to be very handy on the bench covering the middle mostly. If he keeps improving the way he did in the 2025 season .he could even start at 13 or prop. Hope he resigns.
We are going to need someone to do 20mins at hooker. Api can’t keep doing 80 mins.

 

[TonyTiger]

Sione is better than all of them. We leaving him out for Bunty, Seyfarth and Pole?

Totally agree, Sione is Numero Uno partnership with Terrell May. Sione fights in every tackle, serial offloader and refuses to surrender near the try line.
Pole has dropped off dramatically (although I still like him), Seyfarth is a nut case and Twal is simply happy with a Cameo!
I love Royce Hunt off the bench - big impact, most want to fat-shame him but I’ll take a 20 minute stint of pure passion over 40 minutes of Twal And The Gang any day.
Bunty will go hard off the bench also - Benji has identified correctly.

 

[tigahhh]

What are we basing the improvement from the Fainu’s on? Sam only played 5 games for Manly, a rookie. And Sione debuted here.

that they’ve improved since being here……….. Sione was fat when he got to the club

 

[Leica_Tiger]

KPP improves the side a lot. It’s great to now have 2 second rowers that can play 80mins. Sione is going to be very handy on the bench covering the middle mostly. If he keeps improving the way he did in the 2025 season .he could even start at 13 or prop. Hope he resigns.
We are going to need someone to do 20mins at hooker. Api can’t keep doing 80 mins.

I agree we have unsuccessfuly tried to shoehorn that R2nd row position with our “mobile middles” for far too long.
KPP has shown he knows the standard defensive requirements of the role and he deadset ran 1000 decoy reps on that block play Newcastle constantly butchered last year.
He is a massive human and will only improve with a game plan that doesn’t flat out waste him.
We’ve effectively gained a Middle or 3 with Sione / Seyfarth back into the middle rotation plus the instantly likable Bunty strengthening again.
#13 is still an issue as Doueihi can’t play 80 there and he is our best #7 currently.
Interesting times in Tiger Town

 

[Spartan117]

I had faith in Richo but I think he lost me there. Time to get a new CEO. We can't have a guy in the top job who thinks it's okay to criticise our best player. Who does he think he is? Now Alex might be having doubts over his ability. Just pure belony.

Couldnt disagree more

I love the way Richo is relentless in his desire to turn the Tigers into a top club.

He is without doubt our best signing in 15 years.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

that they’ve improved since being here……….. Sione was fat when he got to the club

They were rookies. Not the kind of players OP was referring to.

 

[tigahhh]

They were rookies. Not the kind of players OP was referring to.

it doesn’t matter