OFFICIAL Kai Pearce-Paul

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.”

 

[Sully]

I look forward to him tightening up the edge whilst also being able to offload to the backs creating scoring opportunities.

Strong defensively without the brute force, however in tandem with Samuela Fainu on the other edge I’m excited that we could defend along with creating more opportunities. Don’t believe he was used properly at the Knights but time will tell.

Both second rowers have height which is good also for aerial threats.

Looking forward to seeing the draw, new team kit and season 26.

 

[TYGA]

KPP is a solid first grader with upside. Good athlete with skill at his size. He will do well at the Tigers. Not out of place against Australia.

 

[poopy_diaper]

Let's be real. We started last year with Seyfarth as the starting right backrower so KPP would have to be Joel Edwards level and below to not be an upgrade.

 

[innsaneink]

Let's be real. We started last year with Seyfarth as the starting right backrower so KPP would have to be Joel Edwards level and below to not be an upgrade.

Good way of lookin at it

Wane had the poms all fired up and they maintained it for a good while....usually it peters out after a bit
KPP was good aggro but Ive never seen that from him for the Knights

 

[Tiger Stripes]

I wanted Pearce-Paul straight from the ESL but the Knights signed him. As many have said, 2 years at the Knights will be to his benefit and we are likely to see the best of him. Good signing for WTs.

The Knights coach had no idea how to best utilise him. Thank you, coach.
We get him at a discount, and he is looking good.
Go Benji and get him firing on that RHS.

 

[Tim Sheens]

Good way of lookin at it

Wane had the poms all fired up and they maintained it for a good while....usually it peters out after a bit
KPP was good aggro but Ive never seen that from him for the Knights

Not having seen it, that would be a bonus, as he already brings enough without it to massively improve our right edge.

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

Think our fanbase is overhyping him a bit… he’s a massive upgrade on Seyfarth (doesn’t take much) but he’s not the game breaking sort of forward we’re looking for. He’ll definitely shore up that side defensively tho & hopefully can get that arm free for that offload.

 

[old_man_tiger]

Think our fanbase is overhyping him a bit… he’s a massive upgrade on Seyfarth (doesn’t take much) but he’s not the game breaking sort of forward we’re looking for. He’ll definitely shore up that side defensively tho & hopefully can get that arm free for that offload.

I think that's spot on.
He's going to always look like he should be an attacking weapon with his physique, but hasn't ever really shown that consistently.
You're also right that he's an upgrade and I think he'll go down in the solid signing category. Good thing is there is minimal risk of him being awful as he has simple things in his game like solid defence, an offload and high enough work rate.

 

[poopy_diaper]

Think our fanbase is overhyping him a bit… he’s a massive upgrade on Seyfarth (doesn’t take much) but he’s not the game breaking sort of forward we’re looking for. He’ll definitely shore up that side defensively tho & hopefully can get that arm free for that offload.

I think our fan base are largely cautiously optimistic. I think most watched him not smash it for Newcastle but be good enough to know he's an upgrade with the hope he might break out in a new system which is probably the closest thing to objectively true.

I haven't seen too many people talking like he is gonna be Tallis for us. Everyone seems pretty measured.

So allow me. We need to give him some pregame meth and send him out there to hurt people.

 

[WesternSuburbsBoy]

I think our fan base are largely cautiously optimistic. I think most watched him not smash it for Newcastle but be good enough to know he's an upgrade with the hope he might break out in a new system which is probably the closest thing to objectively true.

I haven't seen too many people talking like he is gonna be Tallis for us. Everyone seems pretty measured.

So allow me. We need to give him some pregame meth and send him out there to hurt people.

We need to get him in Benjis cuck chair as the ultimate test of strength

 

[poopy_diaper]

We need to get him in Benjis cuck chair as the ultimate test of strength

Indeed my friend.

 

[Chunk]

Solid first grader but he's certainly not at the level of anyone from the Kiwi, Australian, Tongan or Samoan pack and you can include the bench?

Actually apart from May do we have anyone that good? Maybe? If not, its shows how far we are behind.

Zero internationals.

Sorry for the hyperbole but...............

 

[tigahhh]

Solid first grader but he's certainly not at the level of anyone from the Kiwi, Australian, Tongan or Samoan pack and you can include the bench?

Actually apart from May do we have anyone that good? Maybe? If not, its shows how far we are behind.

Zero internationals.

Sorry for the hyperbole but...............

“zero internationals” you say while he’s playing internationals 😂 how stupid

 

[Chunk]

“zero internationals” you say while he’s playing internationals 😂 how stupid

Sorry, I thought it was obvious, he wouldn't make the Kiwi, Australian, Tongan or Samoan pack and you can include the bench?

He's an average first grader, not international standard.....yet

 

[tigahhh]

Sorry, I thought it was obvious, he wouldn't make the Kiwi, Australian, Tongan or Samoan pack and you can include the bench?

He's an average first grader, not international standard.....yet

again, he’s playing internationals so he’s international standard. who knows what other country he’d make, he ain’t eligible. tonga’s pack got rolled yesterday

 

[jrtiger]

Solid first grader but he's certainly not at the level of anyone from the Kiwi, Australian, Tongan or Samoan pack and you can include the bench?

Actually apart from May do we have anyone that good? Maybe? If not, its shows how far we are behind.

Zero internationals.

Sorry for the hyperbole but...............

tell me you haven't watched Kai in this series without telling me. he is the only Pom that has risen to the standard of the Kangaroos. offloading at will and hurting people in defence.

 

[Chunk]

tell me you haven't watched Kai in this series without telling me. he is the only Pom that has risen to the standard of the Kangaroos. offloading at will and hurting people in defence.

Standard of the Kangaroos, really?

I've watched all the internationals and he would struggle to make any of the teams mentioned. Not saying he can't improve but let's not kid ourselves.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Think our fanbase is overhyping him a bit…

Yeah, buy of the year gave me a chuckle.